POLICY UPDATE
NI’s potential role in growth plans highlighted at Labour Conference
Unleashing Northern Ireland’s unlocked potential is key to accelerating economic growth and enabling the UK to reach its net zero targets, according to a delegation addressing the Labour Party Conference 2024. Plans for a fast-track planning process for multi-home dwellings, and new energy efficiency requirements for social housing, were announced at the conference but would require adoption by NI’s devolved government. A delegation of business leaders travelled to Liverpool on September 24 to articulate the Westminster-based policy actions they believe will help NI’s economy to grow at a fringe event hosted by NI Chamber and Queen’s University Belfast. They were joined by NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn at an event which followed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s keynote address. It focused on a range of priorities including business competitiveness, international trade, net zero and access to labour and skills. The business leaders also discussed the practical application of the Windsor Framework and further outlined
L-R: Andy Sawford, Connect Group; NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn, Cat McCusker, NI Chamber, and Professor Sir Ian Greer, Queen’s University Belfast.
how the UK and EU can work together to meet common challenges such as energy security. Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, NI Chamber, said, “Northern Ireland is a region of the UK with a wealth of untapped economic potential, which can only be realised with the right policy interventions from both Westminster and Stormont. “We are calling on the UK government
to work with business, helping them maximise the region’s strengths. Ultimately, we want to see more intensive collaboration between political decision makers and the business community, developing a shared understanding of collective challenges and encouraging better coordination, collaboration and decision making.” www.northernirelandchamber.com
Funding issues raised over NI’s draft Programme for Government
Northern Ireland’s draft Programme for Government (PfG), open for public consultation until November 4, will not fix the region’s housing crisis, according to construction industry representatives. Published on September 9, the PfG has come under criticism for its lack of detail around timelines, actions and funding to address the housing crisis, planning reform, and investment in the region’s road, water and sewerage infrastructure and electricity grid. Mark Spence, Chief Executive of CEF, said, “While the commitment in the draft Programme for Government to provide more social, affordable and sustainable housing is to be welcomed, it falls drastically short of what is needed in order to deal with Northern Ireland’s housing crisis.
deal with the key blocks to growing homebuilding. “We believe it is crucial that the Executive treats housing as its main priority for the rest of this mandate because, if it does not, it risks removing from an entire generation the prospect of a home to call their own.” Launching the PfG, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said, “We must invest in and improve our public services, protect our environment, create jobs and grow a sustainable economy that works for everyone. This is an ambitious plan which is set against the very challenging financial backdrop. But this is a mandate for delivery, and the PfG gives everyone hope for a better future.” www.northernireland.gov.uk/PfG- consultation
“The Executive doesn’t appear to have fully understood that against a backdrop of a 60-year low of housing completions in 2023 - a record likely to be eclipsed by a new low in 2024 - fundamental reform is required to L-R: First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly with the draft Programme for Government.
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