Ryan McAleer Profile picture
Business journalist with The @Irish_News
Dec 16, 2020 8 tweets 2 min read
Economy Minister Diane Dodds tells Stomont's Economy Committee that "the very poor financial settlement for the NI block grant in 2021/22" represents in real terms a 15% cut to her departmental budget. Said DfE faces £54m of pressures, and the loss of £70m from EU funding. Diane Dodds tells Economy Committee the UK's replacement for EU funding "will be significantly less than the current EU funding".
Adds: "Informal indications suggest £11m for NI. This represents a huge financial risk for the department’s ability to support economic recovery."
Nov 23, 2020 13 tweets 2 min read
NEW: The Executive has agreed a £338m package of Covid-19 support. It includes £213m for businesses.
Another £150m has been set aside for a potential extended rates holiday for businesses from April. The £213m package for businesses includes:
• Additional £55m for rates-based grant scheme (£90m total) – extended to include non-essential retail, leisure and ents businesses required to close for two weeks
• £95m high street voucher scheme (via a pre-paid card)
Apr 16, 2019 6 tweets 2 min read
Well attended Brexit advice event for businesses this morning at Titanic Belfast. Andrew McCormick opening proceedings. Definitely a unique event here. MC @JP_Biz leading us through live polling of the business audience. 48% say they have postponed investment decisions because of Brexit.