Northern Ireland currently has 18 seats at Westminster

There was speculation last year that the constituency with the smallest population might be scrapped.

However, an official review due out later this month is likely to recommend keeping the current 18 constituencies within new boundaries.

The inner city's falling population had led to speculation that the South Belfast seat may be scrapped.

With 50,599 voters, South Belfast has almost 20,000 less than North Antrim, the seat represented by DUP leader Ian Paisley.

It is understood the Speaker of the House of Commons has approved an announcement later this month by the Boundary Commission, whose job it is to review parliamentary constituencies in the province.

It is believed the commission will recommend incorporating areas like Dunmurry, Dundonald, Carryduff and Glengormley into the existing four Belfast constituencies.

Announcement imminent

According to BBC Northern Ireland's political editor Mark Devenport, this will have an inevitable ripple impact on the boundaries of other parliamentary seats in the east of Northern Ireland.

He said it could have political consequences not only for MPs but also for assembly members, as each of the current Westminster constituencies returns six MLAs.

However, those consequences will not be clear until the suggested changes are revealed in detail at the end of this month.

The Boundary Commission has confirmed that an announcement is imminent and that changes will be proposed.

The public and political parties will be invited to comment on the provisional recommendations. In certain circumstances, public local inquiries may be held.

This probably means that any changes will not be made before the next general election.