Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
1
Recommendation
First Report - Investment in Northern I…
Acknowledged
NI received proportionally less than Scotland, Wales and England in the first round of levelling up. There has been no satisfactory explanation from Government for this under allocation. This should be rectified urgently. The Levelling Up Fund White Paper acknowledged long-standing under-investment and economic challenges in Northern Ireland. We are …
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NI received proportionally less than Scotland, Wales and England in the first round of levelling up. There has been no satisfactory explanation from Government for this under allocation. This should be rectified urgently. The Levelling Up Fund White Paper acknowledged long-standing under-investment and economic challenges in Northern Ireland. We are pleased to see the Government’s resolve to address some of these issues through this funding scheme. However, we urge the Government to pursue further means of collaboration and engagement with the Executive, when formed, on the delivery of these funds. This would ensure the money is in line with the Executive’s economic priorities, and that investments are economically efficient for both the taxpayer and Northern Ireland’s economy. Consideration should also be given to transferring more control over these funds to the NI Executive.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the first round of the Levelling Up Fund saw every bid on the Northern Ireland shortlist selected, with the exception of two bids that were ruled out due to deliverability concerns. Officials have engaged extensively with stakeholders and are keen to …
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Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
4
Recommendation
First Report - Investment in Northern I…
Acknowledged
We are encouraged by the progress of the Belfast Region City Deal under this funding scheme. However, the Government must now set out how it plans to provide ongoing support, including day to day resourcing, to current and future projects. We also ask the Government to set out what plans …
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We are encouraged by the progress of the Belfast Region City Deal under this funding scheme. However, the Government must now set out how it plans to provide ongoing support, including day to day resourcing, to current and future projects. We also ask the Government to set out what plans it has to work with local stakeholders and facilitate longer-term strategic investment to account for the potential periodic non-functioning of the Northern Ireland Executive.
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Government response AI summary
The Government is continuing to provide support to ensure the successful delivery of all four Northern Ireland City and Growth Deals, including regular discussions with the Deals and ongoing engagement through governance structures such as the City and Growth Deal Delivery Board. It will explore …
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Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
9
Recommendation
First Report - Investment in Northern I…
Acknowledged
The university cap leads many Northern Ireland students to leave to obtain high- level qualifications, which they then take into employment elsewhere in the UK or overseas. This places a handbrake on the Northern Ireland economy, with international and other firms either less willing to invest in the first place …
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The university cap leads many Northern Ireland students to leave to obtain high- level qualifications, which they then take into employment elsewhere in the UK or overseas. This places a handbrake on the Northern Ireland economy, with international and other firms either less willing to invest in the first place or unable to fill job vacancies and increase their existing investments. We recognise that the cap is an Executive responsibility. However, we urge the Government to explore with the Executive, including through the NI Department for Economy’s review of higher education funding, how the cap on university numbers might be raised to enable the retention of home-grown talent in Northern Ireland and an expansion of the high- skilled sectors of its economy.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of addressing the cap on university numbers but redirects responsibility to the Northern Ireland Executive. They highlight existing investments in the Skill Up programme and ongoing discussions.
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Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
10
Recommendation
First Report - Investment in Northern I…
Acknowledged
We understand the importance of education and skills in growing Northern Ireland’s economy and providing jobs for people in all parts of society. Therefore, we recommend that current and future Government investment, through the UKSPF and City and Growth Deals for example, at least match existing EU funding in this …
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We understand the importance of education and skills in growing Northern Ireland’s economy and providing jobs for people in all parts of society. Therefore, we recommend that current and future Government investment, through the UKSPF and City and Growth Deals for example, at least match existing EU funding in this area and take account of the Executive’s skills strategy and NI’s growth sectors to address the skills gap. We also note the dissatisfaction towards the apprenticeship levy in Northern Ireland, where businesses do not see an identifiable return on their contributions. The Government must work with the Executive to ensure that the money which businesses contribute to the apprenticeship levy is ringfenced, so it is used for its intended purpose. (Paragraph 60) Creating a sustainable and equal economy
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Government response AI summary
The government states that skills and inclusive growth are key to City and Growth Deals in NI, and that 'People and Skills' is a core UKSPF investment priority, but does not commit to matching EU funding.
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Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
12
Recommendation
First Report - Investment in Northern I…
Acknowledged
Functioning societies need people who have the skills to deliver services in all areas of the economy. These people need to be paid competitively - and fairly. We acknowledge the importance of equal access to opportunities for men and women, and the negative socio-economic effect of existing gender disparities in …
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Functioning societies need people who have the skills to deliver services in all areas of the economy. These people need to be paid competitively - and fairly. We acknowledge the importance of equal access to opportunities for men and women, and the negative socio-economic effect of existing gender disparities in the workplace. We ask the Government to set out, by means of its funding streams such as City and Growth Deals, how it plans to ensure that future investment takes account of the importance not only of ensuring STEM opportunities for all, but of improving the pay and conditions in currently low-salaried and female-dominated sectors, so that there are better jobs in all areas of the economy. (Paragraph 70) 34 Investment inNorthern Ireland
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Government response AI summary
The government states that local partners should shape the skills element of City or Growth Deals, but together with the Northern Ireland Executive departments, will support Deals to find complementarity with existing skills and training initiatives. It also mentions £15m invested in Skill Up using …
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Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office