Ambrose Welcomes NI Executive Programme
Ambrose Welcomes Executive Programme
Responding to the publication of the Executive’s Programme for Government the CBI Northern Ireland Chairman, Brian Ambrose issued a short statement:
‘The business community welcomes the approach taken, and supported, by the entire Executive and is delighted with the strategic, outcome-focused programme with stretching goals.
The final Programme for Government, and indeed the budget announcements which we heard last week, have taken into account the considered views of many stakeholders as well as Assembly Committees. We welcome this genuine consultation and many of the amendments to the PfG announced today.
The CBI particularly welcomes a revision to the key education target, which now includes maths and English as an integral part of the GCSE target. We face a major challenge in increasing the aspirations of our children and their awareness of the job opportunities which exist - ensuring our young people have these basic skills is critical. We also welcome the more stretching target to attract higher quality and higher paid FDI jobs. The final document also sets out clear lines of accountability, a delivery framework and a commitment to regular reporting on progress – these are most welcome.
Mr Ambrose added ‘The Finance Minister’s budget announcements last week provided further support to economic priorities. In particular CBI members will welcome the additional £40m allocated to roads allowing the M2-Castledawson upgrading to proceed within the budget period, the additional £27m from Executive Funds together with the 60m euro from the ROI government for innovation activities including £11m to support STEM subjects and £14m to DETI to support innovation in local firms and commercialisation of research. The extra £40m allocated to the Department for Employment and Learning to support the skills agenda, which is the CBI’s top policy priority, including science PhDs, cross-border research and the further education sector is obviously welcome too.’
‘We look forward to working with the Executive to help achieve and deliver the ambitious goals which have been set.’
For more information: info@europeanbusinessexpress.com
To Submit Content For Inclusion, Contact:
editorial@europeanbusinessexpress.com
