Commenting on new analysis by The Centre for Progressive Policy of the short-term economic impact of COVID-19 across Councils in Northern Ireland, NILGA President, Cllr Frances Burton said:
“These are deeply concerning figures and are sadly unsurprising. Firms across Northern Ireland are severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis in the short-term and well beyond, especially areas like Mid Ulster and Mid and East Antrim, heavily reliant on manufacturing and industrial sectors for jobs and economic activity. These are sectors which have been severely affected in recent weeks. This analysis will be extremely worrying for local employers, employees and economic support bodies working hard to sustain the fragile economy.”
Cllr. Burton added:
“Northern Ireland’s councils are responsible for driving entrepreneurial activity in their areas and have a key role to play in supporting local firms through their economic development programmes. It is time for Northern Ireland’s councils to be resourced for this activity, through a local business hardship relief fund, provided through national level investment. Such on the ground coordination - as with so many other similar interventions - will help councils guide businesses through this emergency and support our economic recovery. Councils working with businesses and their partners, locally, will result in regeneration and recovery, but a dedicated fund is needed now to foster enterprise.”