A blog from the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service

Latest Articles

Browse all the articles published on the Research Matters blog, with the most recent articles appearing at the top.

A photograph showing Coronavirus

What is the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

This article was edited on 4th March 2020 to include updated information, data and guidance. The recent international coronavirus outbreak originated in the city of

Image showing the word 'wages' spelled out with some cash behind.

National Minimum Wage: Effects and future

Do you know the hourly minimum wage rates for workers in Northern Ireland? Currently, the rates are determined under three separate schemes: the ‘National Living

An image showing the Northern Ireland Budget Act 2019, with a selection of cash

Northern Ireland public finances: An update

This blog article provides an update on Northern Ireland public finances in the absence of fully functioning devolved government. It explains recently enacted budget legislation

A black and white image of a woman with her hand covering her face

Is coercive control a crime?

In 2016 a man called Lance Hart shot his wife Claire and daughter Charlotte outside a swimming pool in Lincolnshire, England, before turning his shotgun

Image depicting a farm with a dramatic sky

Farmers and mental health

In this Mental Health Awareness Week, which also coincides with this year’s Balmoral Show, this article examines an issue which has received comparatively little attention

Northern Ireland trade in goods, 2018

This blog post provides an overview of Northern Ireland’s (NI) current position with regard to trade in goods and updates our previous blog on NI’s

A chart showing the scale of change in TES proportions in % points, 1999-2000 to 2016-2017

We don’t need no education!

The finances of Northern Ireland’s schools have been in the spotlight for some time. For example, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster is currently