·Ulster Unionist Party demand substantial infrastructure improvements;

·Doubts over the Executive’s ability to deliver large projects;

·Questions raised about why Shale Wealth Fund was included in Autumn Statement.

Ulster Unionist MP, Tom Elliott has commented on the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, noting that Northern Ireland is in desperate need of infrastructure improvements.

Tom Elliott MP said:

 “The Chancellor today outlined a number of high value infrastructure projects, focusing on housing, road, rail and broadband.

“In our document ‘A vision for Northern Ireland outside the EU’ the Ulster Unionist Party argued that infrastructure spend in Northern Ireland should be trebled, to prepare Northern Ireland for Brexit.

“Northern Ireland is in desperate need of the kind of capital investment outlined in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

“The additional £250 million capital funding for the Northern Ireland block grant, will provide the Executive the opportunity to invest in much needed infrastructure improvements.

“However, given the mismanagement of the other schemes such as the Renewable Heat Incentive, and the confusion over the crucial York Street Interchange project, it is certainly doubtful whether the Executive has the capacity to deliver any further large scale projects.

“While Philip Hammond outlined an ambition to make the UK a leader in 5G, it must be noted that there are many people, particularly in rural areas, who have no broadband access at all, and we must ensure we deliver for them also.

“The freeze in fuel duty, the rise in the income tax threshold to £12,500, and the increase in the National Living Wage from £7.20 to £7.50 will hopefully help people in Northern Ireland who find their incomes increasingly squeezed.

“After his statement, I asked the Chancellor if the announced £1 billion Shale Wealth Fund was Treasury money, or if it was coming from the companies developing the Shale Gas projects. In response, I was told that the fund will come from the companies only. This raises concerns over why the fund was included in the Autumn Statement at all. I have already tabled a written question on this matter.

 “The positive measures in the Autumn Statement will only improve lives for people in Northern Ireland, if the Northern Ireland Executive can actually deliver.”

ENDS

Daniel Donnelly