Stormont parties at odds over £50m defence sector growth deal

Northern Ireland’s two largest parties are divided over UK Government plans to boost the region’s defence sector with £50 million.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said First Minister Michelle O’Neill had chosen “ideological grandstanding” over the investment deal, which Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard described as indicative of the UK Government’s “immoral political choice to supercharge the building of weapons of war”.

Defence minister Luke Pollard visited Belfast on Wednesday with Northern Ireland Office minister Matthew Patrick to meet representatives from local industry and research, to launch the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal.

Officials said the deal – part of the UK Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy, will create a targeted programme to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in Northern Ireland by making it easier for them to enter the defence supply chain.

It will also focus on supporting SMEs in developing technology that can be used for military and civilian purposes, ensuring new technologies benefit UK national security and the wider economy.

Alongside the £50 million investment, the UK Government has said it will provide additional funding for a skills initiative in Northern Ireland.

Mr Pollard said the region “plays a pivotal role in keeping the UK and our allies safe”.

“In Belfast we build missiles that take down Iranian drones threatening our bases and allies in the Middle East,” he said.

“Belfast also builds the air defence systems that keep Ukraine in the fight against Putin’s illegal war.”

The launch on Wednesday was attended by DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly but not Ms O’Neill or Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald.

Mr Robinson said the investment is “a hugely significant boost for Northern Ireland” and the region has previously not received “its fair share of Ministry of Defence spending”.

“This funding will support local businesses, strengthen supply chains, create highly skilled jobs and open new opportunities for young people leaving our universities and colleges,” he said.

“Northern Ireland already has over 9,000 people employed in this sector and generated around £2.2 billion of business last year. This investment can help grow that success even further.”

“It is puerile of Sinn Fein to continue to oppose opportunities that support workers and families here.

“The First Minister and Economy Minister ought to be championing investment in Northern Ireland to create opportunities for local people and local business, but instead they choose ideological grandstanding.

“The DUP will continue backing jobs, industry and investment.

“This package is about economic growth, innovation and ensuring Northern Ireland gets the support it deserves.”

In a statement, Mr Hazzard said the UK Government is “making a callous and immoral political choice to supercharge the building of weapons of war, while simultaneously ignoring the huge cost-of-living crisis”.

”This is also the same British Government that just weeks ago cut funding to our community groups here, yet can find £50 million at the drop of a hat,” he added.

“This is yet another slap in the face to struggling families who will be incredulous and outraged at this decision.

“Once again, communities in the north are being harmed by reckless decisions taken in London.”

In Northern Ireland there are 900 jobs directly supported by more than £271 million of defence industry spending each year.

Asked by reporters in Belfast about a “lack of political buy-in” to the investment deal, Mr Patrick said: “I think people really welcome this investment.

“It’s £50 million investment into the economy of Northern Ireland, helping young people get good jobs, better jobs, helping small businesses expand that supply chain.

“Everyone I speak to is thrilled about this deal, so I think we’re working positively across the executive, across businesses, to make this a real success and I’m really pleased about that.”

Joseph Reffitt, Northern Ireland director at the ADS trade organisation, said the Northern Irish defence sector “already makes a substantial contribution to the local economy, supporting well-paid, highly skilled jobs right across the region”.

“While the detail will be pivotal, we hope this deal will help build on our existing strengths by investing in the engineering capability and the workforce we are known for,” he said.