Allister disappointed with UK's share-out of EU funds
24 October 2006
Responding to the Government's announcement of the share-out of EU Structural Funds within the UK for the period 2007-2013, DUP MEP Jim Allister has expressed disappointment that Northern Ireland is only to get 419 million Euro, of the 6.2 Billion available, in Competitiveness funding over the 7 year period.
Speaking from Strasbourg Mr Allister said:-
" Since the focus of structural funding is to help meet the Lisbon agenda objectives of a more competitive and innovative economy, Northern Ireland deserved a greater share of the €6.2B, because within the 12 regions of the UK we come almost at the bottom on every empirical standard. For example, on long-term unemployment we rank 12th, on business formation rate 11th, on GVA per head 11th, on share of private sector employment 12th, and on average earnings 12th.
In the UK's National Reform Programme HMG set forth its objective for the UK as ensuring "every nation and region fulfils its economic potential, that all parts of the country share in rising prosperity, and that economic disparities between nations and regions are identified and addressed". In consequence this distribution of EU aid should have more fully reflected this strategy and in consequence Northern Ireland, as the region suffering the greatest economic disparity, should have had a greater share of assistance.
The lack of notable generosity does not auger well for the scale of any UK contribution to an Infrastructure Fund, if such is attained in circumstances of devolution.
I can, though, welcome the commitment that these EU funds will be additional to national funding and broadly I endorse an even split between the ERDF and ESF."
