Look at Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Assembly was established as part of the Belfast Agreement and meets in Parliament Buildings. The Assembly, the prime source of authority for all devolved responsibilities with full legislative and executive authority, was suspended on 14 October 2002 and dissolved on 30 January 2007. Elections to the Assembly took place on 7 March 2007 and it was restored on 8 May 2007, following the election of a four-party Executive of 12 ministers. Astonishingly considering events of the recent past, Ian Paisley is First Minister and Martin McGuinness his deputy.

Just 4% of the region’s workforce is unemployed, a reduction during recent years, although the working age employment rate remains well below the UK average and is the second lowest of all UK regions. Figures show nearly 780,000 jobs, with a reduction in manufacturing jobs, a small increase in service-sector employment and a boom in construction. However, a higher percentage of people are in manual or unskilled jobs than in the rest of the UK, and more than one-third of the unemployed had not been in work for one year or more. Gross weekly earnings are 17% below levels in the UK as a whole. Since 1997, regional GVA has risen by 61%, compared with 59% in the UK as a whole.

Northern Ireland has traditionally had an industrial economy, most noticeably in shipbuilding, rope manufacture and textiles. However, most heavy industry has been replaced by services – primarily the public sector (31% of all employees). Tourism also plays a big role in the local economy. More recently Northern Ireland has benefited from major investment by many large multinational corporations into high-tech industry, taking advantage of government subsidies. However, the skills of the working-age population are 10% below the UK average, and 24% of the working population have no qualifications. Allegations continue about employment and funding bias favouring that area of the Province east of the BannRiver.

The Province is essentially a small business economy, with 97% of businesses employing fewer than 50 employees, and 85% of that 97% employing fewer than ten. This adds up to the majority of the workforce in Northern Ireland. Employers continue to predict optimistic hiring intentions, with 25% of them planning to hire staff in the next quarter, while only 2% expect cutbacks. Successful sectors include electrical and optical equipment; food, drink and tobacco; and transport equipment. Manufacturing output grew by more than 5% during the last year, double the figure for the UK as a whole. Tourism also contributes to the Northern Ireland economy, bringing in $350 million a year.

Historically, investment levels have been poor, which has led to high levels of unemployment and low figures for gross domestic product (GDP). Now, however, there is considerable investment into the region, and an economic revival should result.More than 700 foreign investors and a multitude of investors from the rest of the UK have chosen to locate there. Real GDP growth is expected to be up to 3% this year and only a little less in 2009. Gross value added (GVA) is also growing – at 28% between 2000 and 2005.

The region has an area of 13,500 square kilometres and a population of 1.7 million – 49% male and 51% female. At 122 people per square kilometre it is the second most sparsely populated part of the UK after Scotland. It constitutes nearly 3% of the total UK population. Outside Belfast and Londonderry, Ulster is predominantly rural and has a strong agricultural economy, with dairy products and beef both important.

The religious make-up is 40% from a Catholic background and 50% from a Protestant background, with the rest having no religion or refusing to say. The population is much younger than the national average, and there are no significant ethnic minorities. The majority of householders own their own home; 30% outright, while 40% have a mortgage or loan.

Participation in further and higher education is high: 79% of youngsters continue their schooling past the age of 16 and exam grade levels are good. Education historically tends to have been split on a sectarian basis but there are increasing attempts to integrate schools.

The Bridge to Employment and New Deal schemes run by the Department for Employment and Learning continue to organise skills training programmes to assist employers to find suitable employees. Opportunities exist in construction, with an overall shortage in most industry skills, and a government determination that only qualified people will be allowed to work on-site in future contributing to the problem for employers. Retail and all service sectors are also recruiting, although some demand can be seasonal and some individuals may move between employers within the same sector. There are also jobs available in public services, hospitality and service, catering, security, nursing and teaching.

A £1.6 billion regional strategic transport network plan will shape transport systems over the next ten years, working towards a modern transportation system. Proposals include enhanced public transport infrastructure, improved rail and bus services, new and improved park and share/ride facilities, as well as enhanced walking and cycling provision, all of which will offer employment opportunities.

The plan identifies more than £500 million-worth of strategic road improvements that would see enhanced access to regional gateways (international ports and airports) and cross-border links from the network.