SDLP Councillor Brian Tierney
As a result of Cllr Tierney’s motion, Derry City and Strabane District Council will write to the Minister for the Economy to express support for this legislation and call on the Minister for the Economy to introduce such legislation without delay.
Said Cllr Tierney: “No-one’s opportunities should be limited by the postcode of their birth, but the regional disparities that exist today in our economy are absolutely unacceptable.
“Across the city and district, far too many workers can’t get a job that pays the bills and families are trapped in poverty.
“The levels of people here in relative poverty after housing costs are twice as high in Derry and Strabane as in the most affluent areas of Northern Ireland and we know that the life expectancy gap between the most and least deprived areas in the North is up to 15 years.
“These inequalities are a direct result of the failure of government here to rebalance the economy by bringing jobs and investment to the areas that most need it.
“Despite many plans and strategies from Stormont, we have seen little change in these imbalances that limit the life chances of our people.
“I am pleased that Council came together yesterday to send a clear message to the Economy Minister that regional economic balance should be the law of the land once and for all”.
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin, who has proposed the legislation, said: “It is now the clear wish of Derry City and Strabane District Council that legislation is introduced to deal with the profound inequalities in our economy.
“I am particularly pleased that this motion received unanimous support from all parties across the chamber, including Sinn Féin, who have now sent a clear message to the Economy Minister Conor Murphy that this legislation should be introduced without delay and I look forward to his response on this matter.”
