Recommendation 5

We welcome the new Secretary of State’s focus on the promotion of economic growth in Northern Ireland, but we remain concerned that the NIO has not set transparent and measurable objectives for that growth. Without clear and objective metrics, it is impossible to accurately assess the impact of the NIO’s interventions on the economy. As the Northern Ireland Audit 21 Office (NIAO) has noted, setting milestones and performance indicators is important for public accountability, and failure to use these measures can lead to poor value for money and costly delays. (Conclusion, Paragraph 43)