Representatives from the two Northern Ireland Growth Deals that the UK Government have put on hold are travelling to Westminster with an urgent call to lift the pause on their growth.
A delegation from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Mid South West Region will be meeting with MPs later on Wednesday, urging them put their case to the Labour Government ahead of the Autumn Budget to lift the pause on their growth.
It emerged last month, on Friday 13th of September that the Government had decided to pause its funding for the four Northern Ireland City and Growth Deals pending the outcome of its Spending Review. The decision was met with unanimous outrage from the Northern Ireland Executive, which is standing by its commitments to the Growth Deals.
The Government then reversed its decision for the Belfast City Region Deal and the Derry-Londonderry and Strabane City Region Deal, with the latter being signed just five days later. The UK Government has so far not recommitted to contributions of £126 million for the Mid South West Region (comprising Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, and Mid Ulster District Council areas) and £36 million for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
The Northern Ireland Executive reaffirmed its support of £162 million capital funding for the two Growth Deals. However, the paused UK funds are stalling progress on key innovation, green energy and decarbonisation projects designed to boost the economy in these economically disadvantaged regions, which are the only regions in the UK not to benefit from a Growth Deal.
The Labour Government has blamed a £22bn shortfall in its budget and a need to review funding commitments as part of its Spending Review, but the Growth Deal partners argue it’s unlikely any of the promised £162 million for both regions will be required in this Spending Review period with most of the anticipated spend happening after 2028.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Chief Executive David Jackson said: “The previous Government made a commitment earlier this year when it signed our Heads of Terms Agreement to contribute to delivering fundamental change to the Causeway Coast and Glens economy.
“If the Prime Minister wishes to reset the economy in the regions as he reiterated recently, then we would urge him to use this opportunity to do so. These projects will not only benefit Northern Ireland but also strengthen the UK's reputation as a global leader in innovation. Lift the pause on our growth and recommit this funding in the Autumn Budget.”
Chair of the MSW Region Governance Steering Group, Kevin Savage said: “Just last week we marked what should have been a pivotal moment in our Growth Deal, the Heads of Terms Agreement signing. Our delivery partners including the Northern Ireland Executive came together to show their support for the plans to grow the MSW economy.
“Northern Ireland’s First Minister and deputy First Minister have brought our case directly to the Prime Minister. The Finance Minister has also been very active in supporting our campaign through engagement with the Chief Secretary to the Treasurer Darren Jones and we thank them for their work.
“These Growth Deals are crucial to delivering not only on the Northern Ireland Executive’s new plan to boost regional economic performance, but the UK Government’s clear priority for sustainable economic growth.
“We gather today at Westminster to say to the UK Government that we need all the promised funding to fully deliver transformational change, so we urge you lift the pause on our growth and recommit to supporting us now."
