NI to receive £210 million for public services

by Q Radio News and Rebecca Black PA

Northern Ireland is to receive an extra £210 million for public services. 

It was announced in Chancellor Rishi Sunak's budget.

Secretary of State Brandon Lewis took to social media to welcome the Chancellor's announced.

He described it as a "massive further investment and an outline of the monies coming into the growth deal and city deals... as well as money for broadband infrastructure improvements".

Today’s Budget is a fantastic boost for Northern Ireland as we support the Executive to deliver on the public’s priorities and continue to share prosperity across the nation 👍🏗🏥 #Budget2020

— Brandon Lewis MP (@BrandonLewis) March 11, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak also announced a £30 billion package to tackle the impact of coronavirus.

He announced help for firms with the cost of sick pay and a business rates holiday for small companies in England. 

However, rates is a devolved matter therefore the Stormont Executive is responsible. 

Meanhwile, the Budget statement has received a mixed response so far in Northern Ireland. 

Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI welcomed proposals to support small traders around coronavirus. 

However he says "with small business in England now released from paying Business Rates in England for the next year, we believe this should apply to Northern Ireland. 

"Our members are paying astronomical levels of business rates, which are dramatically higher than any other part of the UK and desperately need this relief."

Alliance MP Stephen Farry claimed the Budget is "not grounded in reality and had little to address the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland".

"Overall this is a populist Budget, and not one grounded in reality. It is of course right and necessary the Government uses its fiscal tools to help manage the health, social and economic consequences of managing coronavirus," he said.

"The looming economic shock masks the even deeper financial and other consequences flowing from Brexit, which will slow economic growth and pass on needless extra costs and red tape to business.

"There is little to address the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, with nothing on Air Passenger Duty in response our connectivity challenge.

"There was nothing to assist local companies to prepare for compliance with the Northern Ireland Protocol, and most disappointingly, there is only £210 million of new Barnett consequentials for the Executive."

Ann McGregor, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed rates relief for small business, but added the Budget overall "will not deliver the stimulus that Northern Ireland's economy and our unique circumstances need".

"No reference was made to recent calls for the suspension of Air Passenger Duty, which could prove vital for securing Northern Ireland's connectivity with other major cities," she said.

"And on Brexit, there was also no indication of measures to help businesses here prepare for the Northern Ireland protocol.

"It is now vital that local firms are supported in the forthcoming Northern Ireland Budget."

Federation of Small Businesses NI policy chair Tina McKenzie also welcomed steps to boost confidence and help small businesses face the impact of coronavirus, but she stressed it is vital that NI firms are also supported in the forthcoming Northern Ireland Budget.

"The range of measures to support SMEs in light of the coronavirus will bring some relief to firms in what will be a very difficult period for many. We are already seeing businesses impacted by reduced footfall and supply chain issues, so it is vital they get all the support possible," she said.

"Focus now turns to Stormont, where the restored Executive must now rise to the challenge to support small businesses when they need it most."