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UUP sets out what is needed to boost confidence in Unionist areas


The UUP are keen to ensure that any forthcoming government package for economically deprived unionist areas is properly targeted, sustainable and will build confidence.

UUP Leader Sir Reg Empey has written to Secretary of State Peter Hain with an indication of what measures the government could take.

In his letter, the UUP Leader makes these key recommendations:

  • Speeding up decision making – It is now almost 4 Years since the West Belfast and Shankill taskforce (set up by Sir Reg when Minister for Trade and Enterprise) reported. Departments have been slow to implement the report’s recommendations because of slow decision making.
  • In circumstances where the Housing Executive sells sites there should be conditions written in to ensure development within a limited period – this would go some way to alleviating local concerns that the areas are being left to rot.
  • An end to further government concessions to Republicans
  • Restorative Justice – Government officials have drafted proposals that do not require organisations to deal directly with the police. This creates the impression that Sinn Fein are developing a parallel system to the PSNI.

    Parades – a proper resolution to this annual problem is urgently needed.

    Providing adequate core funding for schools in loyalist areas would be a huge boost to these districts, and could result in a quick payback that would be in everyone’s interest, especially the children.

    UUP MLA for South Belfast Michael McGimpsey, who along with other UUP representatives has organized a number of meetings with Ministers on behalf of residents in South Belfast said,

    “The deep rooted alienation and mistrust of government can be partly addressed by a new, open and transparent approach. We need to take a leaf from big brother. Not George Orwell’s big brother of course but the tv show. The public, at every stage should be able to see what is going on and what is being decided on in their name. They need to be involved, consulted and made to feel like stakeholders in their own future. The best way to invest in Loyalist areas is to invest in our children. Tackling educational disadvantage is key.”

    UUP MLA for North Belfast Fred Cobain, who recently had a visit to the Constituency from Minister Hanson added,

    “There needs to be a sustained government approach to tackling the problems in unionist working class areas. Simply throwing a one-off tranche of funding will not sort out what are effectively generational problems in terms of health, education (including early years and youth services ) and housing.

    The work of community groups and political representatives would be better served by a sustainable and long-term approach to funding where, over time, tangible differences can be made and something concrete can be built upon.”

    • This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 14th, 2006 at 10:04 pm and is filed under Economic Growth & Investment, A Fair and Inclusive Society, Quality Education for all our Children, Policing and Security, Supporting Families & Older Citizens. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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