SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said that a decision to ‘pause’ funding for city and region growth deals just days before the Derry deal was due to be signed is an enormous shock.
The Foyle MP, who has fought for City Deal funding for Derry and the North West for years, said that he will be raising it with the British Government urgently.
Mr Eastwood said that all parties and partner organisations now have to pull together to save their city deals.
Said the Foyle MP: “This is a devastating announcement for the four City Deal regions across the North.
“Significant and substantial investment plans are now facing undue delay and disruption with no certainty or clarity ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
“The SDLP pioneered the idea of City Deal funding in Northern Ireland and we had to fight the Executive very step of the way to agree.
“The British Government has said that it is committed to investing in those communities that need it most – well there’s no region that needs this kickstart investment more than Derry and the North West or Northern Ireland more generally. I know we can make that case powerfully.
“This funding was critical to projects that can transform communities across the North. We can’t afford to give up that opportunity. I will be in touch with British Government Ministers about this decision urgently.
“We fought for years to get to this point. Now we need every party and every partner organisation to pull together to save our City Deals.”
