Causeway Coast and Glens Council says Growth Deal pause lifting is 'very positive outcome'

In a joint statement, issued along with Mid South West Region, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “We welcome the news that the UK Government will stand by its funding commitments to the Mid South West and Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deals.

"This is a very positive outcome which means that we can move forward on the development of our key innovation, green energy and decarbonisation projects designed to boost the economy in these regions.

“Work on projects including the £22m Centre for Food and Drug Discovery (CFDD) in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area as well as the Industrial Decarbonisation Programme and Agri-food Robotics Automation Packaging Innovation Centre in the Mid South West Region can now go ahead, with the potential to create millions of pounds in return investment as well as thousands of jobs in these areas.

“These Growth Deals are crucial to delivering on the UK Government’s clear priority for sustainable economic growth and the NI Executive Economic plan to boost regional economic performance by delivering good jobs, increased productivity and reduced carbon emissions. We look forward to engaging with the Northern Ireland Office in the coming weeks to progress these Deals to their respective next stages.”

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said: “Whereas restoration of the City Deals is welcome, this is a budget which will stymie growth, especially in an economy like Northern Ireland’s which is so dominated by SMEs.

“Small business is bearing the burden of this budget with the broken promise hike in national insurance and above inflation increase to the living wage,” he added.

“Swingeing tax increases suppress, not encourage, growth. The assault on inheritance tax relief for farmers is a big blow to many family farms. Also, with no assured additional funding beyond 2026/27, the NI budget has not received the stability it needs,” he concluded.

Meanwhile SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said: “For too long the region has been lacking investment and it's very positive projects such as the Centre for Food and Drug Discovery at Ulster University Coleraine, the Cushendall Innovation Centre and Dungiven and Bushmills Regeneration Project, amongst others, will now be able to commence.

"Today's statement from the Chancellor provides clarity and cause for optimism after the very difficult years of the pandemic and provides a hopeful pathway for regeneration and development in the area,” she added.

"This also underlines the hard work of the SDLP and importance of representation at Westminster, where our MPs have been tirelessly pressuring the government for this investment and have successfully made the case that the North must be a priority.

"I would like to extend my thanks to all stakeholders who have worked hard to see this come to fruition and will be pressing the Executive to help facilitate the City Deal as soon as possible,” she concluded.