McNulty: City Deal Decision Must Be Reversed

SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has said that a decision by the UK Government to pause funding for City Deals in the North must be reserved.

The SDLP group on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have called for a special council meeting to take place to discuss the issue.

The area was set to benefit as part of the Belfast Region City Deal.

Mr McNulty said:

“The idea of City Deals for parts of the North originated with the SDLP and we have fought for years to secure this vital commitment from the UK Government to invest in key projects that will provide much needed infrastructure, boost our economy and create jobs.

“It is totally unacceptable that the rug has been pulled out from under us at such a late stage. Whatever financial pressures the UK Government are facing, this is totally the wrong way to go about this, threatening projects that will change the face of Newry city centre and boost our tourism offering right across this area.”

SDLP Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Group Leader councillor Gareth Sharvin said:

“I think it is vitally important that council meets at the earliest possible opportunity to show a united front against this decision from the government. I believe that the best way to do this is through a special meeting and we submitted that request shortly after this news broke today.

“The UK Government must reverse this decision so that towns and cities right across the North get the vital regeneration they have been waiting for. From Westminster to our local councils the SDLP will continue to make that case until this decision is overturned and these important projects get the funding they were promised.

“This is an area that has suffered from a lack of government investment for generations and to take away £200m from Newry, Mourne and Down with the positive difference it could make is unthinkable. We simply can’t allow this to happen.”

ENDS