Ulster Unionist economy spokesperson Adrian Cochrane-Watson has said that recent job losses in manufacturing amount to a ‘Black November’ for the Northern Ireland economy.

Mr Cochrane-Watson said:

“It has been a black month for the economy, particularly for the manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland. When all the recent job loss announcements are added together we are looking at over 1,000 people working in manufacturing being put out of work.  Bad news from Caterpillar, Sensata and Invista has followed the disastrous news that Michelin is closing in Ballymena. 

Now we have a situation at Bombardier where the company is seeking to reduce its costs by 20% over the next two years.  Given that Bombardier has the largest supply chain of any local manufacturing firm, the uncertainty is very worrying for Northern Ireland PLC.

“We also learned this week that economic inactivity has increased again to nearly 28% of the working age population, which is significantly worse that the rest of the UK.  An Executive strategy to tackle this deep seated problem was promised in the Programme for Government.  It was only published in April and there is still no sign of it being implemented.

“The latest Labour Force Survey results were published this week.  One indicator not mentioned by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment was the employment rate.  The employment rate, which is the proportion of people aged 16 to 64 in work, decreased over the year to 67.9%. That means 5,000 fewer people are in employment now compared to this time last year.

“On Tuesday Minister Bell said in the Assembly that “the manufacturing sector has been posting strong growth in output.”  He also dismissed concerns raised by myself and other MLAs.  It is not enough for a Minister in charge of the local economy to contemptuously dismiss genuine concerns as ‘nonsense’ or accuse others of being ‘ignorant’.   When the closure of Michelin was announced, he told the Assembly about other manufacturing companies who he said were recruiting, who have subsequently announced job losses.

“I am always positive about Northern Ireland’s prospects and am always keen to talk up the economy.  But facts are facts.  At the end of another black week for the local economy, Minister Bell stands accused of being out of touch, complacent and not in control.”