McGuinness says Programme for Government gives opportunity to improve living standards

The deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MP, MLA,has said that by working together, the Executive and the business sector can build a better future for all.
~ Thursday, 19 January 2012

He was speaking to key members of the business community at the CBI NI Chairperson's annual Senior Executives' Dinner in Belfast tonight.

In a wide ranging address, the deputy First Minister said that the draft Programme for Government, which is currently out to consultation, served as a template which could serve the needs of all sectors. He highlighted the Executive's commitment to rebalancing the local economy , its commitment to tackle disadvantage and the role the business community can play in helping to achieve the mutual aim of a growing a sustainable economy.

Mr McGuinness said: "The draft Programme for Government offers you as business leaders support as you work to develop better services and higher quality products. It promises you a stronger, better qualified and healthier environment in which to grow your businesses, but also looks to you to support the work of the Executive in re-balancing the economy, tackling disadvantage and promoting fairness and equality.

"A strong private sector needs to be able to draw upon a healthy and educated pool of people. Sometimes in discussions about the economy we lose sight of people. We hear talk about economic growth and equality as if these are conflicting and contradictory aims, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Equality is also a key factor in economic growth. Strong economies know that inequality is a luxury which they can ill afford and equality also makes good business sense."

The deputy First Minister said that in these difficult economic times, where unemployment is rising, it is vital that we create an economy which is both vital and transformative.

He said; "Our aim of supporting the promotion of over 25,000 new jobs in the local economy is challenging, but I am firmly of the opinion that we need to set an ambitious course for recovery and to act with purpose and high expectation.

"Growing a vibrant economy will transform our society and accelerate the move towards economic, social and infrastructural renewal. We need to provide people with opportunities to use their skills entrepreneurially and creatively, to deliver a better future for everyone."

On the issue of corporation tax the deputy First Minister said;

"There were over 700 responses to the consultation, some three quarters of which favoured the devolution of powers. While devolving corporation tax powers offers the potential to bring about a step change in our economic performance, such devolution cannot come at any price and more detailed work is now being undertaken to examine how it will work in practice."

Note to Editors:

Media enquiries to the OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9037 8142. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.