The Northern Ireland Conservatives have welcomed the latest fall in unemployment in Northern Ireland but have said it has happened despite the Northern Ireland Executive not because of it. Unemployment has fallen by 1.1% over year the past year.
“The Conservatives are helping create jobs so hardworking people can get on in life.” claimed Johnny Andrews, the NI Conservatives economy spokesperson.
“By backing small businesses and enterprise, we have helped create 1.8 million new jobs – including many here in Northern Ireland. That's more people taking home a pay packet each month and being able to provide for their families.”
Johnny Andrews claimed that NI was benefitting from the UK recovery in general but pointed to a number of specific issues he felt had helped businesses in Northern Ireland
“We are on the side of businesses, and are helping them however we can in particular by cutting national insurance - the so called ‘jobs tax’. This is saving businesses in Northern Ireland up to £2,000 and enabling them to provide more jobs for hardworking people. In addition we are scrapping it altogether for under 21s - so it's easier for businesses to give young people a start in life.”
Andrews also pointed out that while the old local parties talked about supporting the private sector it is the Conservatives who have acted. “We have cut the main Corporation tax from 28 per cent in 2010 to 21 per cent now and it will fall to 20 per cent by 2015”.
“We all know that it is companies who create jobs not government, however, the overall environment is crucial. The one off support that the Executive provides via Invest NI is welcome but it is the broader Conservative long term economic plan that is reaping the real benefits for Northern Ireland.”
Andrews went on to claim that the NI Executive was deterring investment with its failure to deal with shared future issues leading to negative press worldwide amd failure to deal with our decreasing competitiveness in comparison with GB and ROI particularly with regards employment law .
“In addition to the endless rows about flags and parades the Executive has shown itself to be incapable of taking tough decisions for example on welfare reform and infrastructure spending. While we wish to see Corporation Tax devolved as a long term goal it must be matched with improved competitiveness to make it work. It is hard to see the Executive delivering on meaningful cuts to Corporation tax but meanwhile Conservatives continue to deliver cuts in the main rate’