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In today’s Financial Times, I reference need for renewed focus on spending transformation within NI Executive and Civil Service. An embedded ethos of spending on prevention and ‘investing to save’ is key for future NI public finances.ft.com/content/4ae2b2…

Was pleased to see the Chancellor signal intention to change these rules in forthcoming budget. As I outlined in this Irish News article, revisions to these rules makes sense and the resultant investment it unlocks should be good for NI irishnews.com/news/business/…

This is the analysis of the Executive’s draft Programme for Government from the new Strategic Policy Unit within Ulster University. We welcome the new PfG and recognise the challenging context. Embedding transformation at all levels of government is absolutely key. 1/5

UUEPC Director, Gareth Hetherington has written an article on what a second Trump presidency means for the rest of the world, discussing Ukraine, the Middle East & tariffs. Read on our website ⤵️ ulster.ac.uk/__data/assets/… Article first appeared in The Irish News on 25.11.24.

NI has so much potential. As I outline in this article we do need to do things differently to drive better public services and wider outcomes. Transformation will be key, and academia and business should play a central role Irish News Business Ulster University Strategic Policy Unit (UUSPU)

Recent article from SPU's Co-Director Prof. Jodie Carson for UK in a Changing Europe flags the costs of climate inaction and how this might be better captured within UK Government's Fiscal Framework

Today is the last opportunity for Executive to agree a draft budget whilst preserving opportunity for a meaningful consultation and agreement ahead of start of incoming FY. Coincidently it is also first anniversary of the UKG financial package.

Good to see budget agreed. DoH still in receipt of majority of resource DEL. There is little that can realistically be achieved within 1 yr budget but important that focus now shifts to transformation. Must do things differently to deliver better public services for NI

We'll begin our follow-up inquiry into the funding and delivery of public services in Northern Ireland by hearing from Northern Ireland Fiscal Council, NI Audit Office and Stephen Farry of Ulster University Strategic Policy Unit (UUSPU) on Wednesday.

Pressures facing NHS and other public services in NI are alarming, as is outlook for public finances. SPU has outlined a number of potential strategic level interventions to navigate a more favourable path ulster.ac.uk/__data/assets/…

As outlined in my ⁦The Irish News⁩ piece, an AI revolution is set to transform our economy and public services. NI needs an AI Strategy to capture associated opportunities, enable necessary skills/infrastructure, engender public trust and mitigate risks irishnews.com/news/northern-…

Good to see these announcements re the transformation fund. Transformation is most viable route to sustainable finances and better outcomes. Pathway to a much larger transformation process needs to be found.