After almost a decade with no agreed Programme for Government, last week saw the much-anticipated publication of the Northern Ireland Executive’s plan for ‘Doing What Matters Most.’
The publication of the draft Programme for Government is welcome, in so far as it gives people and businesses a broad indication as to what the Executive’s agreed priorities are for the remainder of this Assembly term.
Its focus on supporting high-potential sectors to grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy as an overall priority is certainly positive and is one priority area which NI Chamber is absolutely committed to supporting. It recognises many of the most prominent issues facing our regional economy; low levels of productivity, infrastructure gaps and the double-edged challenge and opportunity of decarbonisation.
Amongst its nine priorities are many cross-cutting issues including affordable childcare, healthcare waiting times, housing, and the transformation of public services, all of which have direct consequences for business and economic growth.
With the document now out for consultation, an ambitious and joined-up delivery plan must follow swiftly. Because whilst the fiscal environment may be tight, an Executive wide approach to delivery and tangible results at pace is crucial.
On the same day, Economy Minister Conor Murphy also unveiled the details of his Department’s ‘Three-Year Forward Look and Business Plan’. The Minister launched what has been described as a plan to ‘turn up the dial on economic performance’ at NI Chamber’s Public Affairs Forum, which we were pleased to host in PwC’s Merchant Square office.
Like the Programme for Government, its objectives are welcome. They strongly align with NI Chamber’s core areas of focus including competitiveness, the future workforce and the energy transition.
In a similar vein, delivery through partnership is the next critical step. And whilst this may be a Department for the Economy publication, we are clear about the need for Executive wide ownership of its objectives. Agreeing on an ambitious, compelling and internationally attractive competitive proposition, which helps Northern Ireland to stand out as a place to work, do business, and invest requires partnership, not just between the Minister and his Department, but across the Executive table and business community.
Whilst we support and endorse the ambition and progress with both the draft Programme for Government and the Department for the Economy’s Business Plan, we need to hear more from our Executive on what it plans to do to stabilise public finances and transform public services. The somber tone of the new UK government trailing the need for ‘tough and difficult’ decisions ahead of the upcoming budget does not bode well for any hope of Westminster stepping in to plug the significant gaps in our public finances. Now that priorities have been agreed, it is time to get to work on delivery which cannot be meaningfully achieved without changing course on how we approach things like sustainably funding water and sewage, amongst other things.
Return from summer recess has certainly seen a flurry of welcome activity at Stormont and for our part, it is being mirrored by equally intensive work at Westminster as conference season begins. Next week will see NI Chamber host a fringe event in partnership with Queen’s University at the Labour Party Conference, spotlighting Northern Ireland’s unique role in delivering its ‘Plan for Growth’. There, a panel of member organisations including Eakin Healthcare, Kainos, NIE Networks and Denroy will join senior politicians to project the policy priorities in our business manifesto and emphasise Northern Ireland’s capacity to grow exponentially.
In front of an audience of Labour Party members we will be there to bring the Northern Ireland business perspective on key issues like fiscal stability, competitive advantage, net zero and solving skills challenges across devolved regions. It is a hugely significant platform for Northern Ireland, representing an opportunity to bring the business voice from this region of the UK directly to the new government and its party members at a critical juncture.
