Chancellor of the Exchequer visits NI

Chancellor Gordon Brown has today made a one-day visit to Northern Ireland.

Mr Brown met with politicians and leaders in the business industry during his trip, which is the first time he has been in the province since he and Prime Minister, Tony Blair launched an economic support package in 2002.

This is the last in a number of engagements carried out by the Chancellor, who has currently been touring the regions of the UK.

Mr Brown officially opened the Northern Ireland Science Park, and stressed the importance of science, creativity and innovation as a key source of future prosperity for the people of Northern Ireland.

The Chancellor also announced the launch of the first UK Career Academy Foundation in Northern Ireland, created with the support of Citigroup, and established through the Belfast Institute of Higher and Further Education.

Meeting business leaders at the new Science Park, The Chancellor said: “Wherever I have travelled across the country over the last year, I have seen the potential for us to turn our historic inventiveness, dynamism and creativity into the jobs and prosperity of the future.

“Today I have seen a Northern Ireland determined to continue the economic advances of recent years, with the creation of this world-class Science Park, increased investment in Northern Ireland’s universities and research institutions, and increased support for young people choosing their careers."

Mr Brown said NI could become one of the "great success stories of the new global age" in an era of peace, security, and economic success.

Speaking at the official opening of the UK Career Academy Foundation in NI, Secretary of State Peter Hain said that NI had the potential to be a world-class destination for businesses seeking a successful investment.

Mr Hain said: “The Northern Ireland economy continues to strengthen and we have record levels of people in employment. We continue to attract international companies to set up in Northern Ireland because they recognise this is a good place to do business in.

“They know we can provide them with well-educated, skilled people who can help their business to grow. This in turn will help Northern Ireland become a world-class region."

Mr Hain concluded by saying that the Strategy has the potential to deliver £16 billion of infrastructure improvements, which will significantly contribute to our continuing economic improvements.

During the visit, the Chancellor also met with all the Northern Ireland political parties.

The DUP and UUP called on the Chancellor to examine the rate of corporation tax in NI to remove the Republic's competitive advantage.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said it would be a serious mistake for any party to think that international agreements would be set aside if there was a change of prime minister.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that his meeting had been "positive" and he had discussed north-south funding arrangements.

Alliance leader David Ford told the Chancellor it was time to end the "waste of financial resources" in the segregated education system.

(EF/SP)