Simon Hamilton
Strangford · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I have emphasised to the Member and the House before, that, whilst I accept that those are not good enough — that is why we have been developing the plan — there are alternative technologies in place that can present opportunities for those who just cannot get acceptable speeds.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. There are some initiatives that I believe will help and act as a driver to improve broadband access. One such intervention is the broadband universal service obligation (USO), which is being taken forward by Her Majesty's Government.”
“I thank the Member for his question. However, he is conflating two issues. I wrote to his party leader, and indeed to all Assembly party leaders, before making the announcement that I did last week about wanting to publish the details of the businesses in receipt of the non-domestic RHI scheme. It was my intention to do that tomorrow.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Chancellor, in his autumn statement, made some more funding available for telecommunications, and my Department is studying that and seeking to avail itself of that to the fullest possible extent.”
“In addition, my Department is managing a contract for the delivery of the superfast rollout programme, which, by 31 December, will provide access to superfast broadband with speeds of at least 24 megabits per second to a further 38,000 premises, both business and residential, across Northern Ireland, including in the Newry and Armagh cons…”
“I signalled the intention to do this a few weeks ago. The Member and the House will know that inspections of all installations would have taken place over the 20-year lifetime of the RHI scheme.”
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“I have sort of forgotten what we were talking about there. We will have to have an Adjournment debate on ice cream at some stage. <BR /> <BR />The Gobbins is an exciting and exhilarating project that provides a truly unique coastal experience. That uniqueness is key to it; it is an experience that nowhere else in Northern Ireland or indeed many parts of the world will have. It is a compelling reason, therefore, for visitors to come to the area. The Gobbins has proved very popular with international travellers and has featured strongly in Tourism Ireland campaigns in Great Britain and, indeed, overseas. In addition, the east Antrim area is featured regularly on the itineraries of visiting international media from across the globe.”
“It is pretty shameless. The ice cream is very good, I have to say. It is part of my job to promote local food and drink as Minister for the Economy.”
“The east Antrim area is a key part of the Causeway coastal route, and this represents a huge tourism opportunity for the area. Both Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland actively promote the route, encouraging visitors to slow down and enjoy key sites along the way, including those which are located in the east Antrim area. East Antrim has iconic visitor attractions with the potential to be showcased in international markets. <BR /> <BR />I will take up Mr Lyons's offer and his invitation to visit the Gobbins, which I have not visited yet, on the one condition that, I think, was a running theme throughout the debate: the condition that he take me to the Rinkha afterwards for an ice cream.”
“I can confirm that the pageantry around King William's landing and other events on that theme that happen over the summer, and which were mentioned by Mr Beggs and Mr Hilditch, are great attractions and are one of the things that draw me and my family to the area. I can testify that it is indeed worth the trip for anybody, whatever their background, to go to Carrickfergus this Saturday to see Mr Hilditch in period costume. I would visit Carrickfergus this Saturday just to see him. In fact, he has on occasions frightened my children with his wig and his period costume; it is well worth the visit for that alone.”
“There is a new appreciation of the potential for tourism to contribute to the growth of the Northern Ireland economy and to deliver on jobs and investment. Growing visitor numbers from our external markets provides an opportunity for significant economic growth through new money coming into our economy. Tourism is, in effect, an export business. <BR /> <BR />All areas of Northern Ireland can benefit from a growing tourism sector, and, as we heard today, many of those attractions exist for visitors across the East Antrim constituency. I visit the area frequently; it has many great tourism assets, some of which I will turn to shortly, including Carrickfergus Castle.”
“A total of 2·3 million visitors from outside of Northern Ireland enjoyed our local attractions, landscape and hospitality last year, bringing £541 million into the Northern Ireland economy. However, there is still much to be done for us to reach our full tourism potential. <BR /> <BR />I intend, as the previous contributor indicated, to bring forward a new tourism strategy for the next 10 years to drive growth in this important sector. I want to work across government, as encouraged by many contributors this evening, and with the industry to build an internationally competitive and inspiring destination of which we are all very proud. The new strategy will set the future direction for tourism within the context of a refocused economic strategy.”
“<BR /> <BR />As one of Northern Ireland’s key service sectors and economic pillars, the tourism and hospitality industry offers one of the best opportunities for Northern Ireland to strengthen its economy, and it is still an industry in the early development stages with huge growth potential compared to our nearest neighbours. There is still huge growth potential in our tourism and hospitality industry. Tourism represents 5·2% of Northern Ireland’s gross value added (GVA) and supports 5·4% of jobs in the total workforce. These figures are much lower when compared to the rest of the United Kingdom where the figures range from 8% to 10%. <BR /> <BR />The latest tourism figures for 2015 point to continued overall growth in local tourism. We had a record number of external visitors last year.”
“I begin by congratulating my party colleague, Mr Lyons, for securing this Adjournment debate, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue, particularly at such an important and exciting time for tourism in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Tourism is now recognised as a key economic driver in Northern Ireland. It attracted 4·5 million visitors in 2015, generating a total of £760 million for the local economy. Of that, £541 million was brought into the economy from external markets, making tourism a £541 million export sector. Tourism supports 43,000 jobs, representing one in every 18 jobs in Northern Ireland. Those jobs are spread right across our region, as the tourism and hospitality industry is an easily accessible market that generates jobs in every constituency and at every skills level.”
“The refocus of the economic strategy will give us the opportunity to explore in more detail the issues identified by the next Programme for Government, outline how their delivery can contribute to growing the Northern Ireland economy and, ultimately, deliver more and better jobs for our people.”
“We will need to ensure that our workforce has the right high-quality skills to meet the demands of employers now and into the future. This will mean that we must work to improve the skills profile of our workforce and the prospects of the future workforce by improving educational outcomes.”
“It is also about ensuring that employment opportunities exist at all levels for our people and encouraging our talented people to remain here for employment and progression up the skills ladder. We must also attract the best talent to Northern Ireland, including attracting back those who have moved abroad, by creating high-value job opportunities. <BR /> <BR />In supporting the motion, I want to ensure that there is clear alignment between a refocused economic strategy and the outcomes set out in the Programme for Government. Having more people working in better jobs will be about attracting high-quality employers and encouraging growth of indigenous businesses to offer good, sustainable employment opportunities.”
“<BR /> <BR />New thinking and new working methods will be required to deliver progress working together, not just in the Executive but with all partners, including local government, our arm's-length bodies and, importantly, the private sector. This approach to the PFG is completely aligned with the refocus of the economic strategy. No one Department will be able to deliver progress on its own, so collaboration will be essential. This will transform the way we work. <BR /> <BR />The outcome to which the motion specifically refers is to have more people working in better jobs. I see this as increasing the number of people working in jobs that are sustainable, well paid and offer opportunity for development and advancement.”
“<BR /> <BR />The motion calls for the Executive to focus on creating more and better jobs in Northern Ireland. To do so, it will be important that the refocused economic strategy aligns with the new outcomes-based Programme for Government. The new approach to the next Programme for Government is out for consultation. This Fresh Start commitment is a marked change from previous Programmes for Government and will require greater collaboration and working together, not just within and across our departmental boundaries but between the public, voluntary and private sectors. This is not only a real challenge but a great potential opportunity.”
“To achieve this, we must work to strengthen our performance in each of the five key rebalancing themes set out in the economic strategy. We will specifically seek to strengthen innovation and R&D capabilities to support investments; ensure that the supply of skills meets the demands of our economy; deliver business growth across the region; compete globally for high-value investors through targeted promotion and support; and ensure that the appropriate economic infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of new investors. The economic strategy represents an integrated approach to developing and growing our economy. The refocused strategy will continue to encourage and be based on collaboration. To be successful, we have to ensure that we have an effective partnership involving the public, private and voluntary and community sectors.”
“Invest NI will continue to focus on attracting high-value FDI jobs, and the agency is working with my Department on detailed research aimed at informing and developing specific, targeted propositions for those sectors to which Northern Ireland continues to offer excellent investment opportunities. <BR /> <BR />In the strategy, we acknowledge that corporation tax is an important lever to transform our economy but will not in itself be sufficient to make the total transformation that we need. We must continue with efforts to improve other areas in the economy, which will ensure that we can maximise the potential gains from corporation tax, creating the conditions for local private sector growth and economic competitiveness.”
“The refocus of the economic strategy will afford an opportunity to ensure that existing policies and strategies are revised and that any necessary new ones are developed to ensure that we can maximise the potential economic benefits of a lower rate of corporation tax. <BR /> <BR />The addition of reduced corporation tax to our existing investment proposition of talent and value added has the potential to make Northern Ireland the most attractive location in western Europe for new foreign direct investment. The Ulster University Economic Policy Centre has reported that the reduction in the corporation tax rate could lead to an increase in investments from businesses involved in areas such as manufacturing or large-scale research and development, creating in excess of 30,000 new jobs by 2033.”
“I turn now to the refocusing of the Northern Ireland economic strategy. I have stated that the strategy was designed as a living document, and, when it was drawn up, it was done in anticipation of a positive decision to reduce the rate of corporation tax. The powers to lower the rate of corporation tax to 12·5% from April 2018 have been secured, and this provides a major policy stimulus for making a significant impact on the Northern Ireland economy. I view corporation tax as a key economic lever that can help us to achieve long-term economic goals and ultimately help to secure greater economic growth and more and better jobs for our people.”
“Positive progress has been made and is reflected across a range of indicators. However, I am clear, as are the Executive as a whole, that much more remains to be done if we are to develop a strong, vibrant, sustainable economy that can provide opportunity and prosperity for all.”
“<BR /> <BR />The vision set out in the economic strategy in 2012 was long term and reflected the reality that a major rebalancing of the local economy, with a larger, stronger private sector, would take some time.”
“We have been providing opportunities for people to move up the skills ladder, with almost 300,000 qualifications achieved through higher education, further education and ongoing training over the last Programme for Government period. <BR /> <BR />In 2013, Northern Ireland’s private sector output growth was above the UK average. While that slipped in 2014, it still remains above the level of private sector growth here when the economic strategy was launched. <BR /> <BR />The most recent data reflects a more positive position across all our main sectors. The services and manufacturing sectors have shown growth in output and jobs, whilst the construction sector — our most impacted sector during the downturn — has posted impressive growth since 2012, albeit still remaining below its previous peak reached in 2007.”
“In April, there was a further fall of 600 people claiming unemployment benefits, bringing the total to almost 24,000 fewer since the strategy was launched. In the local economy, we have seen over 38,000 additional jobs, and our employment rate has increased to 69%, up almost two percentage points over that period. Economic inactivity also stands at its lowest point since it has been measured, although there is still some distance for us to go to bring it in line with the UK average. <BR /> <BR />In the modern workplace, qualifications and ongoing training are becoming more and more important in enhancing people’s ability to access better employment opportunities.”
“<BR /> <BR />Before dealing specifically with the refocus of the economic strategy, it might be helpful if I briefly outline some of the progress made on it to date. At the time of the development of the economic strategy in 2011, the local economy was faced with many challenges. In line with many other regions and nations, the economy had been adversely impacted by the global economic recession that had partially reversed some of the positive trends that we had been experiencing up to that time. <BR /> <BR />Since the publication of the strategy in March 2012, our economic recovery is now well established on a number of fronts. That is most evident by improvements in our labour market statistics.”
“Over the last five years as a whole, 64% of the 42,500 jobs supported by Invest Northern Ireland were outside Belfast. So, the perception that all the jobs, or the majority of them, are going to Belfast does not bear scrutiny when you look at the facts. <BR /> <BR />I accept that creating jobs alone can be only one part of any solution to achieving balanced regional growth. It will therefore be important to continue with investment in the key drivers of economic growth: innovation; research and development; and skills. We know from research that businesses that are innovative and invest more in R&D are more likely to be successful in global markets, employ more people and pay higher salaries; in other words, they provide more and better jobs.”
“We have to accept and acknowledge that the bulk of our population resides in the east of Northern Ireland, particularly in and around greater Belfast. If you look at figures for Invest Northern Ireland support in the 2011-12 to 2015-16 period, you will see that, in the east of Northern Ireland, 282 jobs per 10,000 of the population were supported, while in the west of Northern Ireland, 301 jobs per 10,000 of the population were supported. So, if you take it on a per capita basis and look at not just where the pounds are going but where they are going in respect of where people are, you will see that there is a higher figure in the west of Northern Ireland. If you look at the figures for 2015-16 specifically, you will see that, in the east, there were 28 jobs per 10,000, while in the west, there were 55 jobs per 10,000.”
“Sometimes there can be a perception, a feeling, or, in their argument, a reality that there is an imbalance in growth. Yesterday, I was talking to one of our largest inward investors in recent years, a company called Allstate, which, of course, has a presence not just in Belfast but in Londonderry and in the Member's home town of Strabane. I am sure that he, like all Members in the House, would like to see more companies like that investing in his constituency, but I think he should acknowledge, as I am sure he does, that that is a very welcome investment in Strabane. We would like to see that investment by Allstate and companies like it increase not just in Strabane but in all parts of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I want to address specifically the point about regional imbalance.”
“I do not accept either that an economy the size of the United Kingdom's, being the fourth or fifth largest in the world by whichever barometer you wish to use, would not be able to survive outside the European Union. Yes, there would be change, and I understand the concerns that some have about that, but I think that it is a lack of ambition to believe that an economy the size of the United Kingdom's, of which Northern Ireland is an integral part, could not do well, thrive and survive outside the European Union. <BR /> <BR />I congratulate the Member on his inventiveness in introducing that at this point, but I was going to address some of the points that Mr McCrossan and his party leader raised about regional imbalance and lack of growth. I understand the points made by Mr McCrossan and, indeed, Mr Eastwood.”
“There are a range of areas, and some sectors, such as the fishing industry, for example, which has a base in my constituency, believe that their business, markets and opportunities have been thwarted by being part of the European Union.”
“Equally, I listened to many of the same business organisations say they are looking for a range of interventions, and, indeed, yesterday and again today, some Members asked the Executive to make a range of interventions, and I am sure they will continue to do so at Question Time and in other economic debates that we will have in this place. However, many of those interventions are hampered due to the fact that we are members of the European Union and because of state aid rules in particular. So on things like energy and rates, which the Member mentioned yesterday, if we wanted to offer or afford further relief in industrial derating, that is prohibited by state aid rules.”
“The Member perhaps recalls it better than I do. If he does, he gets a mark for that. I am not sure whether it had that as an underpinning of the economy in Northern Ireland, although it was a fact and continues to be a fact, and we will see after 23 June whether that remains the case. <BR /> <BR />I understand the points that are made by many within the business community about the concerns they have of the potential of leaving the European Union. Business wants certainty, and there would of course be a degree of uncertainty if Northern Ireland, as part of the United Kingdom, were to leave the European Union.”
“Belfast and Londonderry are key population and economic centres and, as such, will be catalysts for growth across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Creating jobs alone can be only part of any solution to achieving balanced regional growth. As Mr Murphy pointed out, it is key and central and is in the draft Programme for Government framework.”
“The economic strategy was designed as a living document to be reviewed and adjusted on an ongoing basis to ensure that, as a region, we can respond to and exploit national and international market opportunities and meet the challenges created within a global economy. That said, I believe that the long-term vision articulated in 2012 remains very much valid today. <BR /> <BR />The aim of the economic strategy is to improve the economic competitiveness of the economy through a focus on export-led economic growth. The strategy further recognises that regional disparities exist and that we need to ensure balanced growth across Northern Ireland. It also recognises the importance of cities as drivers of economic growth.”
“An ambition to create more and better jobs for all our people is one that I am sure everyone in the Assembly will support. Refocusing the current economic strategy will afford the opportunity to ensure it is aligned with the outcomes set in the new Programme for Government framework and takes account of changes within our economy. I assure Members that my Department has already commenced that work. <BR /> <BR />Members may be aware that the Executive's economic strategy was published back in March 2012, with a long-term vision up to 2030 of:”
“I welcome the debate and the opportunity to respond to the motion and the amendment. The motion calls for the Executive:”
“We can remain confident that it will continue to have a significant role to play in the Northern Ireland economy as we seek to meet the challenges of global competitiveness. The debate today has been informative, and I can support the amendment that calls for the development of the manufacturing sector to be fully considered and reflected in the Executive's refocused economic strategy.”
“A rate of 12·5%, effective from 2018, will provide a major stimulus for the economy and support for all sectors. I am confident that the ability to lower the rate of corporation tax will help to grow the entire private sector, including the manufacturing sector, as we seek to rebalance the Northern Ireland economy towards greater private-sector and value-added growth. <BR /> <BR />To summarise, while I recognise that manufacturing has experienced some recent setbacks, the sector remains at the very heart of business and industry in Northern Ireland. Our region's strong manufacturing heritage remains intact, with a higher percentage concentration of manufacturing businesses in Northern Ireland than in the UK as a whole.”
“I can assure the House that it will highlight the particular significance of manufacturing to the local economy and will set a clear direction for ensuring that the full gamut of appropriate policy instruments is in place to support the sector, namely a pipeline of talent to meet the skills needs of the sector now and in the future; investment in economic infrastructure; a support environment for innovation and knowledge exchange; business growth support measures; assistance with market development and exporting; and a regulatory environment that is good for business as well as protecting the interests of employees. <BR /> <BR />Before I close, I want to say that I am delighted that we now have a date and a rate for the devolution of corporation tax.”
“It is important that that diversity is recognised, and I believe the best way that government can help is to create the environment that allows manufacturing companies to move forward with policies and support tailored in a way that maximises the benefit to the economy. <BR /> <BR />In essence, for those looking for a strategy, we already have one: it is called the economic strategy. It will be refreshed and refocused in line with the new PFG.”
“It is appropriate to look at all industries collectively while considering a strategy to grow the private sector. <BR /> <BR />Our manufacturing base is, because of our strong history of manufacturing, still very diverse. There are activities ranging from aerospace, automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals to heavy plant machinery, agritech equipment and construction products, to name but a few. You will appreciate that there is not a one-size-fits-all support solution. What will work for the small firm that is cutting, welding and making farm trailers is very different from what will work for the company manufacturing sophisticated composite components for the aerospace sector.”
“Indeed, it is widely considered that Northern Ireland has the most detailed understanding of its leading industries and, therefore, the key manufacturing subsectors of any UK region. That gives our economic policy in this area considerable focus, and we continue to build on this evidence base all the time. <BR /> <BR />MATRIX's work also reflects the fact that sectors are increasingly dependent on one another; in fact, some of the most important emerging opportunities are in spaces where sectors overlap. We must not forget, for example, that services and manufacturing have become increasingly intertwined and we now have many professionals, such as software engineers, designers, accountants and scientists, working in the manufacturing sector.”
“Those subsectors, which are mainly manufacturing-based, are in the broader global markets of telecoms and ICT; life and health sciences; agrifood; advanced materials; and advanced engineering. As a small region, Northern Ireland does not have the scale to compete in every aspect of those markets. That is why MATRIX drills down to identify areas of strength and opportunity. For example, in life and health sciences we will seek to exploit capability in key subsectors, such as precision medicine, clinical trials, diagnostics and health data analytics — all of which are, of course, areas with high-end manufacturing capabilities. <BR /> <BR />That level of attention to key subsectors has also ensured that we are well placed to know our technology strengths and market capabilities in the context of European smart specialisation.”
“I am not convinced that a stand-alone manufacturing strategy is the right thing for Northern Ireland, and let me try to explain why. My Department is leading on the development of a refocused economic strategy that will accompany the final version of the Programme for Government. A key component of informing that refocus is a strong and robust evidence base. MATRIX, which is the Northern Ireland science industry panel, was created to provide advice and guidance on the high-tech business sectors and emerging market opportunities that we should exploit to make a major impact on economic growth in Northern Ireland. MATRIX has identified strategic subsectors in major global markets that we will look to further exploit.”
“I am grateful to the energy and manufacturing advisory group (EMAG) for its comprehensive report and recommendations on actions that might be taken to alleviate energy cost pressures on the sector. Energy markets are complex, and actions taken in one area can have unintended consequences elsewhere. The group's report serves to illustrate those points with a diverse range of policy and operational recommendations. My Department and I are looking closely at the recommendations that have been put forward. It will be important to give careful consideration to the EMAG recommendations in the context of the wider strategic landscape and the Department’s work to review and refocus the strategic energy framework. <BR /> <BR />The focus of the motion is the call for a manufacturing strategy.”
“Research has shown that, on balance, even when taking into account some areas where we have higher prices, we are a highly cost-competitive location compared with the rest of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Overall, it has been estimated that business costs were typically about 84% of those in the whole of the UK and 95% of those in the Republic of Ireland, driven mainly by lower labour and property costs. <BR /> <BR />I am well aware that, for some of our larger companies, energy costs are a significant component of overall manufacturing costs, but we should remember that cost challenges for the sector do not relate solely to energy.”
“This work will support the development and commercialisation of new technologies. Invest NI has committed £5 million of funding per centre over five years. Currently, 85 companies are participating across the four competence centres, and 43 collaborative projects have been initiated. <BR /> <BR />The Executive as a whole have continued to keep in place the policy of industrial derating, which provides businesses, including many manufacturing ones, with a 70% reduction in their rates bills. That policy has keep over £300 million in the pockets of local businesses in the last five years. <BR /> <BR />Business costs are an important aspect of Northern Ireland's competitiveness.”
“To compete in the global economy, it is vital that Northern Ireland has in place a strong and efficient route for the delivery of high-level professional and technical skills — a point made by my predecessor as skills Minister that will, I am sure, repeatedly be made. My Department is in the process of implementing major reforms initiated in the last term of Northern Ireland's professional and technical education and training landscape through a new system of apprenticeships and youth training. <BR /> <BR />Another way in which we have been supporting manufacturing is through the competence centre programme. This helps to facilitate and encourage knowledge exchange between industry and academia in collaborative programmes in connected health, sustainable energy, advanced engineering and agrifoods.”
“<BR /> <BR />There are many who will call upon my Department to provide support for the manufacturing sector, so it might be useful if I sketch out some of the assistance given in recent years. In the last Programme for Government period, from 2011 to 2016, Invest NI provided £270 million of assistance to manufacturing businesses, which, in turn, unlocked £1·9 billion of total investment and created over 13,000 new jobs.”
“I will not stick my head in the sand and deny that there are difficulties, but neither will I talk down any sector and seek to suggest that a crisis exists when it does not. Manufacturing is and will remain a crucial and central part of our local economy. It accounts for 11% of all Northern Ireland's jobs and contributes 16% to the total economic output. While there has been some bad news of job losses, there has also been good news in the manufacturing sector, with, for example, 110 jobs announced at CDE Global in Cookstown in March. It is encouraging that the Economic Policy Centre at Ulster University forecasts that employment growth in manufacturing will account for around 10% of the 40,000 additional jobs in the local economy over the period to 2025.”
“<BR /> <BR />I, for one, am proud of the many achievements and successes of our manufacturing companies, including the fact that one in three of London's red buses are made at Wrightbus in Ballymena; that 40% of the world's mobile crushing and screening equipment is made in Northern Ireland; that over 30% of the world's airline seats are manufactured at B/E Aerospace in Kilkeel; that one in 10 cholesterol tests worldwide are made by Randox; and that a quarter of all computer read/write heads are made at the aforementioned Seagate. <BR /> <BR />I want to make it clear that, as Minister for the Economy, and as encouraged by Mr Storey in his contribution, I will always be a champion and a cheerleader for local industry.”
“Manufacturing exports in 2015 were £6·3 billion, which is up £350 million on 2014. Manufacturing output was up 2·4% in the last year. Northern Ireland's manufacturing sector has been outperforming the rest of the UK, with output since 2009 up by 19% compared with 6·9% across the whole of the United Kingdom. If manufacturing were indeed in decline, none of those statistics would show the improvements that they do. I would not for a second suggest that the sector is not challenged, but it is not in the crisis that some suggest.”
“The decisions by JTI and Michelin, which were referred to several times today, to close their plants in Ballymena, along with the news of 1,000 job losses at Bombardier and, more recently, job losses at Seagate in Londonderry, are not only devastating to those who are directly affected but exacerbate the belief that manufacturing in Northern Ireland is in poor shape. That perception does not tally with careful analysis of the performance of the sector. <BR /> <BR />Whether it is jobs, sales, exports or output, our manufacturing sector is performing very well. Figures for 2015 show that employment in the sector is now at 80,000. This is the first time since 2008 that the sector has had 80,000 jobs. Sales by manufacturing firms in 2014 stood at £18·1 billion, which is an increase of 1·7% on the previous year.”