A culture of enterprise and job creation in Northern Ireland is the “only sustainable way to improve disposable incomes”, according to NI Conservatives’ spokesman, Mark Brotherston.
“It is welcome news that people in Northern Ireland have more to spend and that is a reflection of Conservative led government policy which is beginning to improve standards of living right across the UK”, Mark noted. “Unfortunately the effect on this side of the Irish Sea is not as marked as it is in Great Britain, because our economy is still not centred enough on creating jobs, opening businesses and exporting to the rest of the world.”
“Figures from the Bank of England show that the government’s welfare reform legislation is creating a new generation of entrepreneurs in the rest of the UK, who are getting off benefits and setting up their own businesses. We need to encourage a similar culture in Northern Ireland. A ‘can do’ approach to setting up a company, going it alone and creating jobs for other people.”
“The key is an executive which is absolutely focussed on new jobs, attracting investment and growing the public sector. That means more enterprise zones, simplified employment law, a faster planning system and providing the skills that companies need. There’s no doubt that, in the long term, more jobs, better jobs and entrepreneurship are the means to more disposable income.”