In Northern Ireland, a significant public sector strike has led to the shutdown of schools, disruption of transport services, and ungritted icy roads, with warnings issued for travel and medical emergencies only. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is reportedly resisting efforts to restart the devolved government, which could lead to further strikes and potentially new elections. The situation has prompted a debate in the House of Lords and discussions on the BBC's #BBCRedLines podcast about who is running the region amidst the governmental hiatus. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has also been criticized for his handling of the situation, with former Permanent Secretary @AGMcCormick expressing views on the tactics being used. The strike, which is described as historic, is demanding pay equality and has raised questions about the future of Northern Ireland's governance.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has called a meeting of DUP party officers today to decide whether to accept the UK government's offer and return to Stormont, @politicshome understands
Catch up Last night’s #BBCTheView is on @BBCiPlayer Strikes @nipsa @CarmelGates @UniteunionNI If no Stormont, what next? @AGMcCormick @chrisadonnelly @NewtonEmerson @MarkCarruthers7 https://t.co/cJwz5ac8r7
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton Harris indicates he’ll use new legislation to further delay the deadline for assembly elections. He says issues raised by public service strikes are “urgent” and that he’ll take new steps in law to help Stormont departments with finances… https://t.co/YCynn6CHKt
What's next after NI's public sector strike? https://t.co/AMjvuDw9Hw
Historic strike in Northern Ireland demands pay equality https://t.co/Oy52Rq5oM0 https://t.co/3GHlWwkrWL
"Jeffrey Donaldson always says we have to have a settlement that unionists & nationalists can both agree. He leaves out the fact it also has to be agreed by the EU, the UK Gov & the Conservative party." Former Permanent Secretary @AGMcCormick #BBCTheView | @MarkCarruthers7 https://t.co/7227yK1AQH
"Those who have most to lose from us all having to consider an alternative to Stormont are those who are refusing to go back in" @chrisadonnelly tells @MarkCarruthers7 that Unionists are in a difficult position if Stormont doesn't return #BBCTheView https://t.co/8B0Qhciv7M
"The only way that unionists can prevent there being a stronger role for the Irish Gov in Northern Ireland" is to restore devolution at Stormont. Former Permanent Secretary @AGMcCormick #BBCTheView | @MarkCarruthers7 https://t.co/kjzG8aRVMj
"If the DUP are holding out for more money then it's hard to ask them to go back with a package that may mean we are in battle with... local politicians." @nipsa's @CarmelGates on today's strikes & Stormont. #BBCTheView | @MarkCarruthers7 https://t.co/Qo30XqzkXd
"It's illegitimate, it's unreasonable, it's a complete failure of responsibility on his part" Former Permanent Secretary in the NI Civil Service @AGMcCormick gives @MarkCarruthers7 his views on the Secretary of state's tactics #BBCTheView https://t.co/uHjLbrswWc
❌ Stormont - closed 🇬🇧 Direct Rule - ruled out 🇬🇧+🇮🇪 Joint Authority - vetoed. Who will actually run Northern Ireland? We’ll discuss remaining options on @bbctheview with @MarkCarruthers7 tonight. On BBC One NI at 10.40pm https://t.co/TLCZpZgYtM
As the public sector strike dominate the news - Stormont remains closed. The Secretary of State has ruled out direct rule & joint authority. So what happens next? We'll discuss the options tonight on @bbctheview with @MarkCarruthers7 ⏰Live at 10.40pm | BBC One NI https://t.co/xMCeSqoFUD
Northern Ireland strikes: People share their views on walkouts https://t.co/Yda5qM2MoZ
A strike by the majority of public sector workers in Northern Ireland shut schools, halted transport services and left icy roads ungritted on Thursday, with people warned to only travel or seek medical help in an emergency https://t.co/CGO0iPa4mF
What is the strike about and who will be taking to picket lines? Read BBC News NI's guide to the industrial action and its impact. https://t.co/vrW6t8hnA4
North West Today will be live from the picket lines in Derry, Strabane and Coleraine tomorrow morning. We will hear why tens of thousands of public sector workers are taking part in industrial action and about the impact this will have on people. Tune in from 08:00 to 09:00📻 https://t.co/VcHSB1cbTf
🚨#BBCRedLines Stormont remains on hiatus - so who is actually running Northern Ireland? Where are the grownups in the room? Chatting to @BBCGarethG @JP_Biz & @mlchealth… Available now on @BBCSounds https://t.co/jAuSYrb5I1
#BBCRedLines podcast Stormont is (still) down. So who is actually running Northern Ireland? @MarkCarruthers7 chats to @JP_Biz @BBCGarethG @mlchealth Listen now on @BBCSounds https://t.co/kq8P6U4Xwt
DUP set to stop its bid to restart Northern Ireland Assembly before strike https://t.co/lTfH4JQPQd via @livfletcher_ https://t.co/H8VK2AXHxm
I have granted a Private Notice Question (PNQ) in the @UKHouseofLords to Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (@RevWMcCrea) on the subject #NorthernIreland Industrial Action and Public Sector Pay. You can watch the debate here from about 3.45pm today: https://t.co/x7UMAXopkc
Northern Ireland set for fresh Stormont recall attempt ahead of strike https://t.co/CgYm29hr2w
The DUP is set to rebuff efforts by rival parties to restart the devolved government in Northern Ireland, pushing the region toward a public-sector strike and possibly fresh elections https://t.co/54YZPsvibW
Northern Ireland strikes: Some school staff begin strike action https://t.co/GniM9f2kbf