SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood says he has been engaging intensively with senior Cabinet Ministers in the Treasury and Northern Ireland Office over the weekend seeking urgent confirmation that funding for Northern Ireland’s City Deals will continue.
The Foyle MP welcomed an initial commitment from the British Government on Saturday to continue funding for the Derry City Deal.
The SDLP will continue pressing Ministers to continue with the full suite of investment under the four agreed plans.
Said the Foyle MP: “Since the announcement that funding for our City Deals was to be ‘paused’, I have engaged with senior British Government Ministers in the Treasury and the Northern Ireland Office to make the case for continued investment in the four regions.
“I am glad that we have made progress over the last 24 hours and have received confirmation that the Derry City Deal will continue as planned.
“This is a good start and we have more work to do. Derry and the North West, in particular, needs this level of capital investment to kickstart our ambitions for greater regional balance and progress higher education provision.
“It should never have been placed in doubt.”
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