The Ulster Unionist Party’s Belfast City Councillor, Alderman Jim Rodgers, has vowed to do all he can to deliver the Belfast Region City Deal, which will have a major impact on the economy of Northern Ireland as a whole.

Speaking from Westminster, where he was part of a delegation comprising representatives of several Councils, which travelled to London to press the case with Government, Alderman Jim Rodgers said:

“The Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) has the potential to provide a huge boost to not only the local economy in the Belfast Region, but the wider Northern Ireland economy too. We fully support the BRCD and recognise the opportunity to develop key sectors of the economy in areas that we can be genuinely world class.

“A better infrastructure network, with an extension of the Rapid Transit System, will undoubtedly encourage more people to use public transport, help traffic flow around the City Region and give people affordable access to jobs and services.

“The agreed projects included in the bid will deliver benefits to all of the partner council areas, and we particularly welcome the emphasis on employability and skills programmes that have a specific 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 – or returning to Northern Ireland to build a well-paid and exciting career that they can advance in.

“The Ulster Unionist Party does not want to see any delay to progressing the City Deal and will do what we can to see the delivery of this essential funding package for Northern Ireland.”