Steve Aiken MLA, the Ulster Unionist Party’s economy spokesperson has noted that the consultation launched by the Minister for the Economy on a draft Industrial strategy adopts the approach of the Ulster Unionist Party regarding the need for Northern Ireland to have a plan for manufacturing.
Steve Aiken said:
“It is interesting to note that in the last hours of this Assembly, just before an election campaign, the Economy Minister has launched a consultation document on what he has called ‘an Industrial Strategy for Northern Ireland’. We shall read its 66 pages with interest, and with an open mind.
“However, it is amazing, that for a year the DUP continually rejected our manifesto proposal- which was backed by key figures in the business and trade union sectors- for a bespoke manufacturing strategy for Northern Ireland. On first impression it looks like our policy proposal has now been adopted, so at least someone in the Department of the Economy has been listening to what we have been saying and consistently proposing in the Assembly since May 2016.
“It may be the case that the Minister has adopted the phraseology of an industrial strategy to chime with the Green paper launched by the Prime Minister yesterday. In any case this is a draft strategy, which needs to be properly consulted on and bought into by both business organisations and trade unions. The timing is curious, but nevertheless, if Simon Hamilton is adopting Ulster Unionist policies again, that is to be welcomed”