Evidence invited on the NI economy

This is stage two of the review requested by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and people are asked to send in their comments by 25 February 2008 so that the study can be completed before the big US investment conference being held in May.

The first report was published in December at

www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2007/press_148_07.cfm

Business incentives

Sir David said the second review would look at “incentives for promoting the sustainable growth of businesses, investment and employment in Northern Ireland and the implications for reducing the historic dependency on the public sector. This will include examination of incentives for growth in Northern Ireland that fall within the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government.”

Call for evidence

The call for evidence sets out eight main questions, each of which contains several more specific points. The eight general areas on which Sir David is inviting evidence are:

1. the most important factors for businesses considering moving to or from Northern Ireland;
2. the opportunities and challenges for Northern Ireland businesses starting up and/or attempting to grow or sustain their growth;
3. the role of the public sector in Northern Ireland economy;
4. how the level of public and private innovation might support Northern Ireland growth;
5. how the skills of the Northern Ireland workforce might be improved to support the economy;
6. how to reduce levels of economic inactivity and unemployment in Northern Ireland;
7. the competitiveness of Northern Ireland markets;
8. how to support the economy in Northern Ireland in a regional and international context.

Information and submitting a comment

More information is available from www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/northernirelandcompetitivenessreview.

Comments should be sent by 25 February 2008 by email to nireland.competitiveness@hm-treasury.gov.uk or by post to the Varney Review of the Competitiveness of Northern Ireland, Room 1/E1 HM Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London SW1A 2HQ.