SDLP Chair of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee Alban Maginness has welcomed the Executive's Economic Strategy but has expressed concern that it does not do enough to develop the Green New Deal.

The North Belfast MLA said: "We very much welcome that the final Economic Strategy document has taken on some of the SDLP's good ideas, in particular our call for a financial capability strategy for consumers and the greater level of ambition for the economy in setting higher targets for investment by locally owned companies, externally owned businesses and inward investment.

-- Advertisement --

"The SDLP also called for greater priority and recognition for tourism in the Economic Strategy and we are delighted that this is reflected in the higher targets for visitor numbers and for visitor spend. It is however, vital that these targets supported by additional resources.

"We are, nevertheless, concerned that there is no action plan to develop the Green New Deal or any plan to encourage energy efficiency. Given that £12 million has been allocated to the Green New Deal, we are disappointed that there is no mention of this in the Strategy and seriously hope that it hasn’t gone AWOL.

"It is also worrying that the strategy only refers to growing the private sector and there is nothing about reform or the restructuring of the public sector. If this Strategy is to take us to 2030 it should not be silent on public sector issues and must address this if we are to properly rebalance our economy."

(CD/GK)