LISTEN - £163m of UK Government funds to support growth in Northern Ireland

By Q Radio News

People and businesses in Mid South West Northern Ireland and Causeway Coast and Glens are to benefit from a £163m share of UK Government funds to support local growth.

That's on top of the £400m already announced for Belfast and Derry/Londonderry from the City Deal fund.

In July the Prime Minister announced Northern Ireland would benefit from a share of a new £300m Growth Deals fund, designed to support economic growth, create jobs or invest in local projects.

Confirming that Northern Ireland is to receive over half of this funding, Rt Hon Julian Smith MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said:

“Today’s announcement will help level up support for growth, helping to create jobs and boost local economies. It will boost the support we give to towns and cities in Northern Ireland and ensure no corner of the country is left behind. Every part of Northern Ireland now benefits from Growth or City Deal funding thanks to the UK Government. We need to get Brexit done and get Stormont back up and running so we can continue to invest in communities across Northern Ireland.”

Mr Smith continued by telling Q Radio the cash injection would help communities right across the province:

The funding will be allocated to Mid South West Northern Ireland and Causeway Coast and Glens allowing them to benefit from the UK’s overall economic growth. It will mean that every corner of Northern Ireland is now backed by a UK Government Growth or City Deal.

Since 2014 the Conservatives have invested almost £3 billion in Growth Deals across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In response to today’s announcement that £163 million has been allocated to both the Mid, South and West region growth deal and the Causeway Coast and Glens growth deal, the three councils representing the Mid, South and West region - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster District Council – said:

“We welcome news the UK government has allocated funding for the Mid, South and West region growth deal and look forward to hearing more details. We are already an economic powerhouse representing one quarter of Northern Ireland’s GVA and with this funding we will be able to supercharge the growth of our collective economy and ensure prosperity for all.

“As a group of three councils, we are committed to ensuring this funding is spent in the most effective possible way. As such, we are in the process of finalising a regional economic strategy which will identify key initiatives best suited to maximising the potential of the growth deal funding.”