Stormont Programme For Government Agreed

Job creation and investment in smaller businesses are to be at the heart of the new Stormont Executive Programme for Government.

In a late night session of the North's Executive at Stormont Castle, Ministers finally decided what the priorities will be over the next four years and how they will spend taxpayers' money.

Although there is yet to be a formal announcement, it has been reported that the Executive has given a commitment to potentially creating upwards of 30,000 new jobs.

This should help areas that have so far suffered badly, with the Sinn Fein MP for West Belfast, Paul Maskey having already called on Executive Ministers to increase their efforts in bringing employment opportunities to areas like West Belfast, North Belfast and Foyle.

This followed the publishing of statistics which indicate Foyle and West Belfast as amongst the top five in unemployment levels in the United Kingdom.

Among further measures expected to be announced at the Stormont Assembly on Thursday is a pledge to provide one years free pre school education for children while the Executive also pledges to provide double glazing for all Housing Executive properties - where at present only 40% have been completed.

It's believed that a reduction in local councils from 11 to 15 will go ahead despite opposition from Ulster Unionists and the SDLP.

The deal also promises a £50m fund to lend money to small and medium sized business.

Already, the Alliance Leader David Ford has said that the Executive's Programme for Government will help deliver change for people in Northern Ireland and said that the document is a major improvement on previous Programmes for Government.

He said: "This Programme for Government (PfG) is a very significant document for everyone in Northern Ireland.

"It is a major improvement on previous Programmes for Government and Alliance's many years of campaigning for a shared future is evidenced in this document. With responsibility for delivering its five key priorities, shared across departments, the programme will also drive greater joined-up government – a key priority for Alliance.

"Creating a shared future is central to transforming our society. While Alliance would go further, the PfG demonstrates real progress on the shared future agenda.

"The announcement within the document regarding shared education is positive but we believe we should be even more ambitious than this to help tackle division in our system," said the Stormont Justice Minister.

"We recognise that this document is a product of a collective government so Alliance would have addressed some issues differently and we will be making a detailed response to the consultation as a party. I believe that this document could however provide the basis for delivering real change for everyone in Northern Ireland."

(BMcC/GK)