Debate contribution: Minister for the Economy: Economic Vision
Debate contribution by Dr Caoimhe Archibald on .
- MLA
- Dr Caoimhe Archibald
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 19 May 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Minister for the Economy: Economic Vision
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5549525
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for her question, but I do not agree with her characterisation. Our economy here, on a macro level, continues to outperform Britain on economic growth, exports and wage increases. Good jobs increased by 1·5 percentage points between 2024 and 2025. On regional balance, we have seen a closing of the gap between the lowest-paid and highest-paid council areas. We have also seen considerable improvements in regional balance through increased university places at Magee, by 22%, and at the Coleraine campus, by 12%. Since February 2024, 20,000 additional jobs have been created here. Our economy is therefore performing relatively well. There are certainly headwinds and challenges coming at us, but I continue, in my own role and through working with Executive colleagues, to address those challenges.
129 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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