Menu
11/12/2003
Full employment possible says Minister
Finance Minister, Ian Pearson has welcomed Wednesday's Pre-Budget Report (PBR) saying it confirmed the Government's intention of providing full employment in Northern Ireland.
During his speech to Parliament, Chancellor Gordon Brown made clear that the UK was closer than it has been for three decades to full employment.
With reforms to encourage greater flexibility and fairness, the PBR will further advance the goal of full employment to every region and every nation in the UK, he said.
Mr Pearson said: "Having reformed the economy since 1997 the PBR marks the next stage – to achieve, in our time, and in each region and nation, a more flexible, a more enterprising, full employment UK: a UK of economic strength and social justice.
"The PBR confirms the Government’s intention to further strengthen the NI economy, with a view to achieving full employment. Unemployment remains at low levels whilst employment has risen since 1997 by 7.2%.
"The reforms to reduce the regulatory burden on enterprise and measures to overcome barriers to raising finance for small businesses will help NI meet the productivity challenge."
The Minister also indicated that the increase in the Child Tax Credit, Child Benefit and the Basic State Pension would benefit the most vulnerable members of local society.
The increases in the child element of the child tax credit by £180 from April 2004 will benefit 132,500 working families in NI whilst the increase in the basic state pension will benefit 254,000 pensioners in NI.
In summary, the Minister added that as a result of personal tax and benefit measures introduced since 1997, householders in NI will be, on average, £1225 a year better off in real terms.
(MB)
During his speech to Parliament, Chancellor Gordon Brown made clear that the UK was closer than it has been for three decades to full employment.
With reforms to encourage greater flexibility and fairness, the PBR will further advance the goal of full employment to every region and every nation in the UK, he said.
Mr Pearson said: "Having reformed the economy since 1997 the PBR marks the next stage – to achieve, in our time, and in each region and nation, a more flexible, a more enterprising, full employment UK: a UK of economic strength and social justice.
"The PBR confirms the Government’s intention to further strengthen the NI economy, with a view to achieving full employment. Unemployment remains at low levels whilst employment has risen since 1997 by 7.2%.
"The reforms to reduce the regulatory burden on enterprise and measures to overcome barriers to raising finance for small businesses will help NI meet the productivity challenge."
The Minister also indicated that the increase in the Child Tax Credit, Child Benefit and the Basic State Pension would benefit the most vulnerable members of local society.
The increases in the child element of the child tax credit by £180 from April 2004 will benefit 132,500 working families in NI whilst the increase in the basic state pension will benefit 254,000 pensioners in NI.
In summary, the Minister added that as a result of personal tax and benefit measures introduced since 1997, householders in NI will be, on average, £1225 a year better off in real terms.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 October 2003
Conference focuses on employment law
A half-day conference focusing on recent developments in employment law could help reduce the number of small and medium sized companies (SME’s) in the north-west that fall foul of employment legislation.
Conference focuses on employment law
A half-day conference focusing on recent developments in employment law could help reduce the number of small and medium sized companies (SME’s) in the north-west that fall foul of employment legislation.
16 October 2008
Thousands Aided By Benefit Take-Up Campaign
Thousands of people in NI are now likely to be better off after being offered a full benefit assessment to identify additional benefits they should be claiming.
Thousands Aided By Benefit Take-Up Campaign
Thousands of people in NI are now likely to be better off after being offered a full benefit assessment to identify additional benefits they should be claiming.
10 August 2015
Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
A 42-year-old woman has been convicted at Coleraine Magistrates' Court of benefit fraud. Louise Leslie, of Greenhall Court, claimed Employment Support Allowance, Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £18,572 while failing to declare she was working and living with her partner. She was sentenced to 200 hours community service.
Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
A 42-year-old woman has been convicted at Coleraine Magistrates' Court of benefit fraud. Louise Leslie, of Greenhall Court, claimed Employment Support Allowance, Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £18,572 while failing to declare she was working and living with her partner. She was sentenced to 200 hours community service.
04 July 2014
Man Convicted Over £4,700 Benefits Fraud
A man has been convicted at Coleraine Magistrates' Court for claiming over £4,000 in benefits he was not entitled to. 31-year-old Michael Cruise of Oakvale Park, Coleraine, County Antrim, claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £4,702 while failing to declare employment.
Man Convicted Over £4,700 Benefits Fraud
A man has been convicted at Coleraine Magistrates' Court for claiming over £4,000 in benefits he was not entitled to. 31-year-old Michael Cruise of Oakvale Park, Coleraine, County Antrim, claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £4,702 while failing to declare employment.
24 July 2024
SDLP MP's Vote To Support End Of Two-Child Benefit Cap
SDLP MP's at Westminster have voted in favour of an SNP amendment to ending the two-child benefit cap. The SDLP has long called for an end to the cap which has compounded child poverty and has a particularly detrimental impact on families in Northern Ireland.
SDLP MP's Vote To Support End Of Two-Child Benefit Cap
SDLP MP's at Westminster have voted in favour of an SNP amendment to ending the two-child benefit cap. The SDLP has long called for an end to the cap which has compounded child poverty and has a particularly detrimental impact on families in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
