FSB Says Executive Needs To Adopt Collaborative Working
Alan Lowry, FSB`s NI Policy Chair, has welcomed the positive political progress made during the past week which culminated in the re-establishment of the NI Assembly and Executive.
He has called for political representatives not to be shy in coming forward to ask for the input of business representative organisations to help inform and shape policy decisions, as he sets out FSB`s priorities.
Alan Lowry said: “The past few days have seen positive news for Northern Ireland and its people.
“In the space of a week we have gone from hoping for a return of devolved government to having Ministers, a Speaker and his Deputies, and Committee Chairs and Deputy Chairs appointed at Stormont.
“We now have the political apparatus in place to make progress but, importantly, there are also clear indications that there is the political will to follow through.
“What we have seen so far is positive, led by the First and Deputy First Ministers.
“We wish them and all their ministerial colleagues well. They are undertaking a Herculean task, so I can assure them that FSB will work collaboratively with elected representatives and their officials to help them along that road.
“There is a long list of priorities for the Executive, but the most important thing they can do is start making responsible decisions that will fill the policy void left by the last two years of zombie government in Northern Ireland.
“The return of the Executive will not be a panacea for all of society’s problems, but what it can do is to start implementing policy to address them.
“Then, in coming years we can look back on positive economic, social and cultural progress that laid its foundations this month.
“As the voice of small businesses, we want to help shape progress.
“Therefore, we have written to Ministers offering our help and assistance as they formulate policy and move rapidly to making decisions.
“Positive change can come about when politicians and officials engage widely with representative organisations.
“If we can get the economy right, it will be a driver for positive change across all areas.”
The FSB NI wants the Executive`s immediate priorities for businesses to include:
- A 75% rates discount for NI businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure for 2024/25, as there is elsewhere in the UK;
- Urgent Childcare Investment and engagement with the sector;
- Delivering a new, lower rate of Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland;
- All layers of Government to pay their bills on time, by speeding up payment of invoices;
- Helping SMEs to hire and up-skill staff;
- Increasing access to finance.
Alan Lowry added: “It won’t just be down to one or two departments to deliver these and other priorities.
“Instead, it will only be through collaborative cross-departmental work across the Executive, alongside engagement with stakeholders, that long term policy change can be delivered.
“We definitely do not want to see a return to the silo mentality of the past. If we avoid that, we are confident there can be brighter days ahead.”
