Good morning

In business news:

More than 10,000 redundancies have been proposed by Northern Ireland firms since March, according to official statistics from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). The total number of proposed redundancies for the last 12 months was 10,720 - more than double the number recorded in the previous 12 months.

And, business groups have stressed that the Northern Ireland economy “can’t be turned off and on” through repeated lockdowns. Hospitality Ulster, Retail NI and others have spoken out against the prospect of further lockdowns after a leading doctor warned that a period of four weeks under heightened restrictions would be the “logical” way to deal with the current coronavirus infection rates.

In other news:

Future spending plans could be in jeopardy as local councils face a “long-term and ongoing” impact from the coronavirus pandemic, a watchdog in Northern Ireland has said. Unprecedented challenges will continue from virus restrictions, which damaged leisure revenue streams while requiring emergency action to maintain safety, local government auditor Pamela McCreedy said.

Antrim Area Hospital and the Causeway Hospital are “under unprecedented pressure today”, a statement from the Northern Health and social Care Trust has warned. They said: “If you require urgent care, please do not attend our Emergency Departments. “Use Phone First - call 0300 1231 123, or use the Interpreter Now app.

And: Tributes have been paid to one of Northern Ireland's oldest residents who has died at 107. Gladys Anderson from Lurgan has been described as a “woman of very strong faith” who set “a fantastic example”.

Have a good day

Michael Cousins
Deputy digital editor

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