The Mid South West (MSW) Region Growth Deal partners, alongside the Finance Minister and their counterparts from the ‘paused’ Growth Deal region of Causeway Coast and Glens, have united in demanding that the UK Government reaffirm its commitment to supporting the economic redevelopment of both regions.

A rallying call at Stormont was staged in response to the news that the previously committed funding has been put on hold pending the outcome of the UK Government’s Spending Review.

The MSW Growth Deal, which was set for a Heads of Terms Agreement signing next month, is now facing uncertainty, prompting today’s high-level discussions at Stormont.

The investment package was to comprise a funding commitment of £252m from the Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government, which has now paused its contribution of £126 million, plus additional Government funding for the A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass; and contributions from the Mid South West Region Councils in the region of £8million, with the potential for significant private sector funding investment.

Twelve project proposals included in the MSW Deal aim to: enable infrastructure; boost innovation and digital capacity; support green energy development; increase tourism, and futureproof the region’s skills base and these are now placed on an uncertain trajectory.

Chair of the MSW Region Governance Steering Group, Kevin Savage said:

“This Growth Deal is not just a collection of projects – it can stimulate the transformational change that will secure the economic future of a region which covers half of Northern Ireland’s landmass and includes a quarter of the province’s population.

“It is vital that this full investment package goes ahead and we begin to address decades of underinvestment, redress regional imbalances and create an ambitious, prosperous and sustainable society for the people who live, work and visit here.

“The UK government committed to invest in four Northern Ireland City and Region Deals, and cannot pull the plug halfway through its implementation. The lack of communication from the Government is unacceptable. We are now calling for open dialogue so we can work towards a solution to lift this unnecessary pause.”

During the meeting, the Finance Minister reiterated the MSW Region Growth Deal Partners’ call for the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to lift the pause on the funding without further delay.

Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said:

“I remain unwavering on the need for the Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West Growth Deals to be allowed to continue their progress without delay.

 “The continuation of this pause risk undermining confidence to get on with delivering these Deals, which had been designed to stimulate growth in local and regional economies.

“Today has demonstrated, once again, the unanimous political support for these Deals. Working together we will continue to champion the case of the immediate reversal of this pause on funding for the Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West Growth Deals and their reinstatement so they can get on with delivering the proposed projects.”