The Ulster Unionist Party has welcomed the campaign to secure a City Deal for Belfast and urged the Secretary of State to press ahead, whether or not Stormont is restored.
Alan Chambers MLA, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Economy Spokesperson, said:
“Belfast City Council, in conjunction with 6 other Councils bordering Belfast, has urged the UK government to grant it £450 million in the budget at the end of the month, to help incentivise investment in Belfast. This would be matched by a further £450 million from Stormont, if an Executive is formed in time, with the 6 Councils providing £100 million between them.
“It is hoped that this £1 billion investment will lead to £3 billion of investment from the private sector and Universities, which would create 20,000 jobs in Northern Ireland as part of a 10-year investment strategy.
“Given the current political impasse at Stormont, it is imperative that the Westminster Government takes the lead and supports a City deal which would go a long way towards helping provide some much needed stability, so that Belfast, and indeed Northern Ireland, can make real progress.
“Finally, the City deal will include employability and skills programmes that have a particular focus on digital skills and apprenticeships, giving people the tools they need to access the jobs market for specialist roles, and giving our young people the option of remaining in Northern Ireland in a well-paid and exciting career that they can advance in.”
Councillor David Browne, the Ulster Unionist Party Group Leader at Belfast City Hall said:
“The City deal would encompass investment in multiple areas. Our growing digital and innovation sectors have thankfully seen businesses opening up in Belfast, with some international corporations like PA Consulting recently expanding, creating 400 new jobs and a City deal could only help further expansion.
“A better infrastructure network is another focus of the City deal, with an extension of the Rapid Transit System, which will lead to more people using public transport, with the associated economic and environmental benefits of that to follow.
“If we cannot get devolution restored at Stormont, then the Secretary of State must press ahead and not allow the City deal to be held as a hostage by Sinn Fein and the DUP over their inability to agree a way forward.”