Minister of State: City and Growth Deals provide grounds for optimism on road to recovery

On Monday, I was delighted to visit the headquarters of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, where I discussed the Belfast Region City Deal with Mayor Jim Montgomery and council chief executive Jacqui Dixon.
Minister of State Robin Walker is welcomed to Mossley Mill by the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Jim Montgomery and Jacqui Dixon, council chief executive.Minister of State Robin Walker is welcomed to Mossley Mill by the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Jim Montgomery and Jacqui Dixon, council chief executive.
Minister of State Robin Walker is welcomed to Mossley Mill by the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Jim Montgomery and Jacqui Dixon, council chief executive.

I am proud that the UK Government has committed a total of £617m to the City and Growth Deal programme in Northern Ireland, together with the complementary Inclusive Future Fund, as I firmly believe that these initiatives will help to drive growth in the local economy and make a real difference to people’s lives. I was delighted that the Executive agreed to match-fund this, resulting in a total of more than £1.2bn to boost the economic potential of our communities.

It’s important to note that the Belfast region deal encompasses not only the Belfast City Council area, but also the councils areas of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Mid and East Antrim, Ards and North Down, Lisburn and Castlereagh, and Newry, Mourne and Down. This wide reach ensures that the project will deliver benefits to residents across the whole of the city deal region. The Belfast region deal is one of four ambitious City and Growth Deal programmes in Northern Ireland which focus on encouraging digital and innovation projects to drive long-term economic growth. It is hoped the city deal could help create up to 20,000 jobs as part of a programme to help grow the region’s business strengths in life and health sciences, ICT, digital and creative industries, and advanced manufacturing. It will also support digital development and tourism-led regeneration across the entire region, underpinned by infrastructure developments and investment in skills. I believe that the proposals which have been submitted for consideration are as visionary as they are ambitious.

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In Co Antrim, one proposal is for the £26million regeneration of the former St Patrick’s Barracks site in Ballymena, which would see the development of a next generation science park - an Integrated Industrial Inspiration and Innovation Campus. Another ambitious proposal involves the extension of leading tourist attraction The Gobbins Cliff and Coastal Path, with plans to double its length and incorporate a new adventure experience.

Minister of State Robin Walker in conversation with tthe Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Jim Montgomery and Jacqui Dixon, council chief executive.Minister of State Robin Walker in conversation with tthe Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Jim Montgomery and Jacqui Dixon, council chief executive.
Minister of State Robin Walker in conversation with tthe Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Jim Montgomery and Jacqui Dixon, council chief executive.

I have also been encouraged to hear about the regeneration proposal for Carrickfergus Castle, the walls and surrounding area, with the aim of consolidating its position as a heritage-led tourism hub and visitor attraction. The accompanying public realm works which are proposed aim to ensure benefits for both residents and visitors. Of course, due to the impact of Covid-19, the last few months have been very challenging for many people across Northern Ireland. During my meeting with council representatives, I was impressed to hear about the resilience of the local community, as well as the council’s plans for Covid recovery. The UK Government remains dedicated to creating, supporting and protecting jobs for everyone across the UK, levelling up and strengthening the Union.

Recently, the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs confirmed £300 million of Covid-19 funding for the NI Executive through the Barnett formula. This was followed by a further £600m as part of the Treasury package for the devolved administrations.

In total, the UK Government has committed £2.2bn to help the NI Executive support individuals, businesses and public services through Covid-19. There are also UK-wide measures, such as the Job Retention Scheme, and the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme which launched on Monday to support the hospitality sector. I hope that many readers will avail of this to show their support for the local area’s fine eateries, while continuing to behave responsibly and observing social distancing guidelines. So, as we take the first steps along the road to recovery, I am confident that schemes such as City and Growth Deals offer people in Co Antrim and across Northern Ireland grounds for optimism, and the confidence to look forward with renewed hope for the future.

Robin Walker MP is Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office.