“We welcome the news that the UK Government will stand by its funding commitments  to the Mid South West and Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deals. This is a very positive outcome which means that we can move forward on the development of our key innovation, green energy and decarbonisation projects designed to boost the economy in these regions.

“Work on projects including the £22m Centre for Food and Drug Discovery (CFDD) in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area as well as the Industrial Decarbonisation Programme and Agri-food Robotics Automation Packaging Innovation Centre in the Mid South West Region can now go ahead, with the potential to create millions of pounds in return investment as well as thousands of jobs in these areas.

“These Growth Deals are crucial to delivering on the UK Government’s clear priority for sustainable economic growth and the NI Executive Economic plan to boost regional economic performance by delivering good jobs, increased productivity and reduced carbon emissions. We look forward to engaging with the Northern Ireland Office in the coming weeks to progress these Deals to their respective next stages.”