ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN - REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY WE ALL MUST DO IT TO GET THROUGH IT - Northern Ireland Tourism ...
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ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
WE ALL
MUST DO IT
TO GET
THROUGH ITECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Ministerial Foreword
A little over a year ago I accepted rollout gathers pace there is reason to by a bold and highly ambitious vision
the role of Minister for the Economy be optimistic and reason to be hopeful which captures the bustling energy in
in the newly formed Northern Ireland once again. our innovation ecosystem, and seizes
Executive. I took up the post with a the chance to make a generational
clear vision of what I wanted to I believe that the time is now right to change in our economy. Successful
achieve and how I wanted to return to our plans and to build a delivery of this plan will require
transform our economy. I wanted to pathway to economic recovery. We must additional investment at a time when
deliver for the people of Northern use this point in our history to build a the public expenditure landscape is
Ireland by creating jobs, developing more competitive, inclusive and greener extremely difficult, but we must prioritise
skills and by helping our business economy. This means tackling the our economic recovery. The delivery of
community achieve their goals. immediate and unfolding effects of this plan must also be flexible and
Covid that are causing job losses, respond to the economic events that
A few short weeks after my appointment business closures and stifled demand, unfold during this timeframe.
the first case of coronavirus was and by finding permanent and complete
diagnosed in Northern Ireland. As we solutions to the frictions in the UK Recovery will be challenging but above
began to understand the scale of the internal market caused by the all we must ensure that Northern Ireland
pandemic, we set aside our plans and implementation of the Protocol. It also is once again open for business, open to
began working to protect our people and needs us to be ambitious and creative investors and open to visitors.
our economy as best we could in the about our future, embracing new
face of the unknown. thinking, and recognising that the old
norms will not necessarily help us
The people of Northern Ireland have rebuild our economy.
been remarkable. It has been hard, the
effects of the virus have touched all of This recovery plan sets out a range of Diane Dodds MLA
our lives, many have lost loved ones and decisive actions to kick-start economic Minister for the Economy
the restrictions have affected the mental recovery over the next 12 to 18 months.
health of many. Yet as the vaccine These first steps will be quickly followed
2ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Dr Bryan Keating, Chair of the Department’s Strategic Advisory Forum, said:
The Department’s Economic Recovery Plan is a significant piece of work which, I believe, will allow businesses to plan for
the future. I also can see how the plan, when successfully executed, will allow young people a welcomed opportunity to join
the workforce and older employees or those currently out of work to either enhance their careers or re-start them.
Angela McGowan, director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Northern Ireland, said:
The CBI welcomes the Department for the Economy’s Recovery Action Plan. The emphasis on investing in skills, creating
employment opportunities and stimulating investment and demand are strongly aligned with the CBI’s build-back-better
proposals for a jobs-rich economic recovery.
Dr Joanne Stuart, CEO of the NI Tourism Alliance (NITA), said:
NITA welcomes the Department’s Recovery Action Plan which recognises the importance of the tourism and travel industry
as a key economic driver for regional economic recovery. The actions outlined within the report are critical to supporting the
survival and rebuilding of the tourism industry and NITA look forward to continued engagement with the Minister through the
Tourism Recovery Steering Group on the development of a sustainable Tourism Strategy.
3ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Kevin Holland, Chief John McGrillen, CEO of
Executive of Invest Northern Tourism NI, said:
Ireland, said: I welcome the publication of this action plan as we
continue to offer support towards the recovery of
The Department’s Recovery Action Plan
our tourism industry in partnership with the
sets out a wider ambition to create
Department for the Economy. Many businesses
longer term economic prosperity. It will
have been severely impacted by the pandemic, but
contribute to the trade, investment and
we have also witnessed huge resilience and a
jobs that will support the rebalancing of
determination to adapt and survive.
our economy and underpin the building
of a shared future for all. We are very
The recovery plan includes the development of a
happy to see innovation front and
sustainable, regenerative Tourism Strategy focusing
centre in driving this ambition.
on economic growth, social wellbeing and the
protection of the environment. The plan will also
We are currently building detailed
allow us to develop and deliver industry-wide
delivery plans under eight economic
training to the tourism sector, as well as campaigns
drivers aligned to the Department’s
and additional funding to provide the skills and
plan. These plans can impact quickly,
capabilities to improve and grow product offerings
generate public economic success and
and business models.
build for the future.
4ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Economic Context
The coronavirus pandemic has had a A further 78,000 workers have availed dramatically, with the January 2021
profound impact on the global of the Self-Employment Income Support claimant count, at 56,700, being around
economy, creating unprecedented Scheme (SEISS). Even with these twice that observed in the pre-pandemic
economic challenges. This has unprecedented job support schemes in months.
significantly reduced market place, unemployment increased
opportunities for Northern Ireland
(NI) businesses to trade
domestically and export. As a direct
result of the pandemic it is
estimated that economic output fell
by around 25% at the height of
lockdown in spring 2020.
Output levels improved markedly over
the summer of 2020 as the NI Executive
lifted many restrictions. However, while
the rebound was strong, the economy as
a whole had not fully reverted back to
pre-pandemic levels before rising
infections meant new restrictions,
beginning mid-October 2020.
The trading restrictions have had a
severe impact on the NI labour market.
In total, nearly 250,000 NI workers have
been placed on furlough at some point.
5ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
As we look forward, independent forecasters
Forecast Summary %
believe that 2021 overall will be a year of
recovery in the Northern Ireland economy, 2020 2021
with growth of around 4% to 6%. The roll-out UK GDP growth -10.7 4.2
of the coronavirus vaccine programme will
allow restrictions to be gradually eased as NI GVA growth -11.0 4.0
we move through the year. Similar to what NI consumer spending growth -14.0 4.5
was experienced during the third Quarter of
NI Employee jobs growth -0.3 -3.0
2020 (Q3 2020), we may see a strong
increase in activity as businesses reopen NI unemployment rate 3.5 6.7
and confidence returns. At the same time
UK CPI inflation rate 0.9 1.4
unemployment may increase in the short-
term, and there are significant risks if
recovery of output and jobs is not swift and
sustained.
While there are real reasons to look towards
the future with optimism. In the short and
medium term the economic context remains
stark. It is within this context of a recession
like no other that this Recovery Action Plan
is positioned.
Source: Oxford Economics, Danske Bank Analysis
6ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Economic Recovery Action Plan
“Rebuilding a Stronger Economy” set • building a higher skilled and agile This plan presents, at a high level, a
the priorities for a more competitive, workforce; significant amount of activity which is
inclusive and greener economy. This • pursuing and securing better jobs; and, being taken forward across the
Recovery Action Plan defines the ultimately, Department and its delivery partners. It is
immediate actions required to deliver • producing a more regionally balanced underpinned and informed by work being
against that agenda; and to protect economy. taken forward by groups such as the
and stabilise employment. Tourism Recovery Steering Group and the
In providing this support we look towards Skills Strategy Advisory Group. It also
A crucial part of rebuilding will be the the wider economic outlook, addressing reflects a number of initiatives which,
process of reshaping our economy key structural weaknesses so that we can while already in train, will make a
through government intervention, avail of economic opportunities in global significant contribution to our economic
assisting people and businesses to adjust markets, prospering through a higher skills recovery. A key example is the City and
to the changing economic fundamentals base, higher productivity and enhanced Growth Deals programme, which will see
caused by Covid-19 and EU Exit to competitiveness. The policy responses close to £1.5 billion of investment across
maximise future growth potential. This will must include opportunities for all our NI providing a tremendous springboard for
involve targeted interventions to people to ensure economic recovery is the recovery plan. Through continued
encourage external growth in inclusive. This will involve supporting a collaboration with councils, industry and
internationally focussed high-value added range of jobs to reflect the volume of jobs academia, we can use the planned
sectors where NI has the ability to exploit lost and the skills of those affected, investments to accelerate our recovery.
competitive advantage. It is in these including those in the hardest hit sectors
sectors that our future economic e.g. tourism, retail and hospitality. To do It is important to register at the outset that
prosperity lies. this, we will build on the success of our many of the actions set out within this
existing employment support plan are subject to funding availability and
As outlined in “Rebuilding a Stronger programmes, further adapting and would be subject to the normal approval
Economy”, the challenge is to deliver modifying these to address the current process including tests for value for
decisive interventions that will challenges we face and ensure these money and meeting any EU State Aid / UK
contribute to: meet future business needs. subsidy control requirements.
7ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Where appropriate, the actions will be
designed to target the high potential
areas identified within “Rebuilding a
Stronger Economy”. This will ensure
that, working with our partners, the
limited resources available will be
focused where we have the greatest
opportunity to drive innovation and
exports, develop the skills and capability
of our workforce and secure sustainable,
better jobs.
This Action Plan sets out what is
possible if the resources are made
available. Successful delivery of this
action plan will require an additional
£290m in 2021-22 (including the cost
of delivery the High Street Stimulus
Scheme). Recovery will not be
completed in one year alone, and many
of the actions set out within this plan
will require funding beyond 2021-22.
8ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
The recovery actions have been The purpose of this document is
designed against the backdrop of an therefore to start a wider and more
ongoing health and economic crisis. At detailed conversation regarding our
the time of writing, restrictions remain in recovery journey, to test with
place on the day to day operation of stakeholders if the steps laid out in this
many businesses across NI, and the document are the right ones and,
Department, and wider Executive, acknowledging the very real financial
continues to provide support to constraints we face in 2021-22 and
businesses and individuals impacted by beyond, seek views on the relative
these restrictions. It is inevitable that priorities of the actions. This will enable
there will be an overlap between this the Department to provide a
initial response phase and the comprehensive input into the wider
foundations we need to build for Executive framework for recovery.
recovery. However, given the dynamic
nature of this crisis, the timing of As we pivot into economic recovery it is
recovery interventions will be under important that the steps we take today
constant review and the actions will not only tackle the disruption we are
need to be agile to respond to emerging already experiencing and impacts that we
economic events. expect to see ahead of us, but are also
aligned to the bold actions we must take
Economic recovery can only be delivered to seize the opportunity for a longer term
through collaboration and partnership. generational change in our economy.
During the development of this Action Getting to this bold and highly ambitious
Plan the Department has considered the vision – which we will publish shortly –
valuable input of key stakeholders and will only be possible if we first overcome
delivery partners. However we recognise the real damage and disruption to lives
more engagement is required and this and livelihoods.
document is intended to progress these
conversations.
9ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Supporting a Highly Skilled & Agile Workforce
Covid-19, and the measures required By investing in skills, we will help to designed around three
to reduce its transmission, is having a ensure that NI businesses can rebuild major policy objectives:
significant impact on the NI labour and grow their markets, protect and addressing skills imbalances; creating a
market. At the same time, EU Exit is strengthen their supply chains and culture of lifelong learning; and
introducing changes to fundamentals maximise new opportunities. This enhancing digital education and
such as migration and trade. We are investment will also enable our people inclusion across society.
focused on working with industry and to avail of new and better employment
our delivery partners to respond to opportunities. Potential also exists to Digitisation of the workplace in
these challenges and improve the target NI’s diaspora and to attract highly particular has been transformative, and
skills profile of the working population; skilled ‘returners’ who can contribute to it is essential that we ensure citizens
and, ensure our young people are well addressing key skills needs in high value have the necessary skills to contribute
equipped for entry into the labour sectors and, thereby, accelerate the economically and thrive in an ever-
market. We will provide access and growth of sectors of strategic changing economy.
support to help people develop the significance.
skills required to meet the changing
demands of the labour market. Not The development of the new Skills
only does this support economic Strategy for NI has focused on key
growth, it also improves wellbeing and themes and policy objectives that aim to
helps address inequality. deliver against these challenges, whilst
taking into account the need for our
skills system to addresses growing
inequalities, providing everyone with the
access to the education and training
opportunities that will enable them to
fulfil their potential. The new strategy is
10ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
DfE will support a Highly Skilled & Agile Workforce by:
• Growing and maintaining the Apprenticeship system as a critical skills pipeline for industry and
valuable employment, particularly for young people, by providing incentives to employers to
return apprentices from furlough and recruit new Apprentices;
• Make apprenticeship opportunities available to more people and sectors by amending age-
related criteria; and, establishing public sector apprenticeships as a way of growing skills and
supporting opportunities for new employment and re-training for all;
• Provide a flexible skills fund to offer new opportunities for individuals to upskill and reskill to
meet evolving business needs, focusing on the priority sectors that will help our economy grow;
• Developing our Youth Training system to ensure young people with the skills to progress to
higher levels of education or successfully enter the labour force, through vocational education,
training and work experience, and developing these pathways further to support higher level 3
skills attainment;
• Ensuring that the Further and Higher Education sectors continue to play a key role in the
response to COVID-19, raising skills levels and increasing productivity of the future workforce,
and examining ways to ensure greater alignment between study and the needs of the economy;
• Launching a new Northern Ireland Skills Strategy, to help employers and individuals attain the
skills needed to grow our economy and boost productivity, by addressing existing skills
imbalances, improving lifelong learning, with a focus on the digital spine which cuts across all
sectors; and
• Building upon the existing vocational education infrastructure by establishing a Northern
Ireland Skills Board, bringing together employers, providers and trade unions to progress the
skills agenda, supported by sector specific action plans and skills hubs at a local level.
11ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Supporting a Highly Skilled & Agile Workforce
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
Adjusted our Apprenticeship offering to Delivering an Apprenticeship Return, Make Apprenticeships available to more
support new forms of delivery allowing Retain & Result Scheme to reduce the people and sectors by amending age-
training contractors to adopt flexible risk of redundancy following furlough by related eligibility criteria. This will
delivery models including remote and providing financial support to incentivise significantly increase the supply of skills
blended learning. the return, retention and on to successful to the economy and the range of
completion across the AppsNI and HLA opportunities available to individuals of
Extended Youth Training Programmes by
programmes. all ages.
13 weeks to make up for lost training
time due to Covid-19 restrictions Delivering a New Apprenticeship Work with sectors to create new
enabling participants to achieve their Recruitment Initiative to encourage and Apprenticeship Pathways.
targeted qualifications. support employers create apprenticeship
Introduce Public Sector Apprenticeships
opportunities for both new apprentices
Moved Careers Service functions on-line into the ApprenticeshipsNI and Higher
and apprentices who have been
and worked with the Department for Level Apprenticeship programmes.
displaced by other employers.
Communities to support those most
Address productivity challenges via a
impacted by the pandemic. Through an Apprenticeship Challenge
New Advanced (Level 3) Vocational &
Fund supporting ways to identify and
Supported individuals impacted by Technical Award that will meet sector
deliver innovative approaches to tackle
Covid-19, to achieve one of over 90 specific needs and provide an
barriers to participation in the
online, fully accredited qualifications in alternative pathway to higher education.
apprenticeship system.
key areas including digital, leadership
Extend the Apprenticeship Recruitment
and management and employability. Introducing the Northern Ireland
Initiative.
These courses have been delivered Traineeship programme. This new level 2
across the Further and Higher Education Vocational Education and Training
sector, ranging from entry level to programme will improve outcomes for up
masters. to 1900 young people when it launches
in September 2021, rising to 4500 per
annum in September 2022.
Delivering a second round of fully
accredited, online upskilling opportunities
for 5,000 individuals, including those
furloughed, made redundant, or availing
of the self-employed scheme in priority
growth sectors. Over 1,000 opportunities
have been Post Graduate Certificates,
with the digital sector accounting for a
third of all places.
12ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Supporting a Highly Skilled & Agile Workforce
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
Supported 150 fully funded Post- Piloting a range of graduate placement Develop a digital careers platform to
Graduate Certificates in Software programmes, blending digital and provide advice and guidance on future
Development with Queen’s University leadership skills with an eight week and current skills needs and
Belfast. internship at a local employer to deliver opportunities working closely with
the commitment to support graduates industry and key sectors.
Increased the maximum student
into employment.
numbers by 410 in the 2020/21 Develop a Women in STEM Action Plan
academic year at the universities in Increasing the maximum student with the aim that by 2030, 30% of all
response to Covid-19. number at the universities by 5% over young people moving into STEM roles
the next 3 academic years (20/21, are women.
In partnership with the Open University,
21/22 and 22/23) to allow for flexibility
provided a range of free, business Launch a Flexible Skills Fund, using an
in the offering of local student places
focused training courses via the NI Open evidence-based approach and will allow
following an increase in demand as a
University Social Learning Platform. Over government to be fast moving in
result of COVID-19. This increase in
300 courses in areas including Digital, responding to any emerging needs. This
student numbers will be primarily
Numeracy and Wellbeing were made will be used to reskill individuals in jobs
directed at Science, Technology,
available, with over 20,000 individuals at risk of automation into economic
Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
accessing in 2020. priority sectors or provide lifelong
subject areas where there is a skills
learning accounts/vouchers to
Established the NI Women in Science deficit.
individuals with low levels of skills.
and Engineering (WISE) Hub and Pulsar
Supporting the NI WISE Hub and the DfE
Live to support and improve
Women in STEM Steering Group and
participation rates and progression of
development of a Women in STEM
girls and women in STEM education and
Vision and Action Plan for NI to be
employment.
published April/May 2021.
Expanded the Skills Focus Programme,
Supporting the development of a new
available to SMEs, to offer free upskilling
Skills Ecosystem, building on our
for staff, including those who are
existing structures to bring together
furloughed and waivered the 25%
employers, providers and the public
employer contribution for April 2020 –
sector. This includes the development of
March 2021. 1,800 employees have
a Northern Ireland Skills Council, a new
been supported up to January 2021. approach to engagement at a local level.
13ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Supporting a Highly Skilled & Agile Workforce
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
In response to Covid-19 quickly Delivering qualifications online since Additional support for leadership and
transitioned Assured Skills Academies April 2020 in response to Covid management, employer skills audits and
from classroom to tutor-led online restrictions. a community partnership plan to provide
learning. a new and diverse means to support
Undertaking a pilot, “Press Refresh” to
employers to identify their skills needs,
Included Social Enterprises in the support 25 women returners undertake
boost productivity and bring in a local
eligibility criteria for the Skills Focus part-time learning in digital, with an
approach.
Programme, introduced in September internship and interview with a leading
2020. ICT employer. Develop a Capability and Skills
Enhancement Programme to deliver
Launched a Creative and Digital Supporting 100 individuals to get an
industry wide training to the Tourism
Technologies programme to support export and trade qualification, focusing
sector to provide business with the skills
100 young people impacted by on processes around cargo operation,
and capabilities to adapt their product
Covid-19. This programme focused on payment and insurance.
offerings and business models.
digital skills development to create a
strong pipeline to employment and Launch new cohorts of Invest NI
economic growth. Leadership Programmes, through virtual
delivery, focusing on how best to help
Worked in collaboration with Further
businesses review and redefine their
Education Colleges to provide flexible
strategy, rebuild and grow, in light of the
delivery models in response to the
new economic fundamentals brought
health restrictions taking into
about by Covid-19 and EU Exit.
consideration the capacity and
capability of the learner and the needs Work with industry and stakeholders to
of the specific course. identify collaborative skills solutions at
NI, sectoral and sub-regional levels by
establishing skills networks within these
groups.
14ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Supporting a Highly Skilled & Agile Workforce
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING (Cont.)
Secured £7m of additional funding to Introducing a new Skills for Life and Delivering intensified support to help
provide laptops, IT equipment, software Work Programme to help increase manufacturing and service companies
and free school meals for financially essential skills in English, Mathematics develop resilient supply chains and
vulnerable learners. and ICT, together with technical and identify and exploit new supply chain
employability skills that participants opportunities.
Introduced a Digital Hardship Fund to
need to progress to Traineeships,
ensure our most vulnerable trainees can Working directly with companies to
Apprenticeships, Further Education, or
access on-line and remote learning. identify areas to enhance productivity
employment. There will be provision for
and ensure they have the necessary
Adapted a range of Skills programmes to up to 1500 disadvantaged and
skills to exploit these opportunities,
meet social distancing and safe work vulnerable young people per year.
whilst protecting profitability by
environment requirements; including:
Providing support for companies to minimising waste. Since 1st April 2020,
- Skills for Growth; enable them to re-skill and upskill their Invest NI has engaged with 90
employees to assist in safeguarding companies on Productivity Improvement
- Skills Advancement; employment whilst equipping workforces projects.
- I Operational Excellence
N with the skills to be competitive when
Providing focused leadership
Programme; markets recover.
development programmes, with locally
- Invest NI Leadership Offering funding to industry-led groups and externally owned companies, to
to cover the cost of independent develop new skills to accelerate their
Programmes; and
facilitation to collectively address issues growth potential, with a focus on
- Invest NI Collaborative Growth and opportunities related to skills addressing the consequences of
Programme. development. Covid-19 and EU Exit.
Delivering Screen Industry Reboot - a
4-month training programme for the
video games industry developed and
delivered by NI Screen.
15ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Stimulating Research & Development and Innovation
R&D and the science behind it In the past 12 months many companies continued funding to
drives economic growth and have taken a digital leap forward, support research,
competitiveness. It is a simple showcasing their resilience and development and wider innovation
reality that our most R&D intensive capability to deliver on the world stage. activity. We will target new funding from
firms are responsible for the majority We need to build on our excellence. inside and outside NI, and work to
of our exports. R&D and Innovation Project Stratum, for example, will play a increase the capacity of NI businesses
go hand in hand, but while only a vital role in re-building the NI Economy to access UK Research and Innovation,
few high technology and science by transforming broadband connectivity Innovate UK, cross-border and
driven companies will be R&D for many citizens and businesses in internationally mobile funds.
intensive, every business must rural areas by bringing next generation
innovate to survive. broadband services to most of NI.
NI has a rich history of pioneering Innovative technology in
leading innovations, however our pharmaceuticals has led us to a vaccine
performance in recent times has lagged that will facilitate the pathway to
behind other UK jurisdictions and other recovery and opens the door to
small advanced economies. It is innovative opportunities that need to be
imperative that we support both explored and supported. The recent
business and individuals to embrace decision by Artemis Technologies, a
innovative practices and utilise the spin-off from America’s Cup team
available opportunities thereby Artemis Racing, to establish a new
unlocking our potential to become world facility in Belfast Harbour to develop
class. zero-emission maritime technologies is
an example of how NI can be at the
The global pandemic has already heart of this decade of innovation. In the
accelerated the adoption of digital face of a changing economic landscape,
solutions and emerging technologies. we must adapt to ensure we secure
16ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
DfE will stimulate Research & Development and Innovation by:
• Accelerating delivery of plans for over £550m investment in innovation and digital across the 4
City and Growth Deals in NI;
• Creating a Chief Scientific & Technology Officer post to advise and guide on science,
technology, R&D, innovation policies and strategies in the context of economic development;
• Providing support to businesses to engage in research and development so that they can
continue to innovate and drive new commercial opportunities;
• Providing advisory services and support to assist companies understand innovation and develop
their innovative capabilities;
• Assisting SMEs to gain the skills they need to engage in innovation activities;
• Assisting businesses to exploit new opportunities through the adoption of new technologies;
• Supporting businesses to build on recent successes in securing UK wide funding streams and
ensure NI fully benefits from the opportunities presented by the UK Government’s Levelling Up
agenda; and
• Fostering collaboration and partnership working between industry and academia.
17ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Stimulating Research & Development and Innovation
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
Expanded the Innovation Voucher Providing additional funding for “Co- Increase support for value added R&D
Scheme to allow multiple vouchers to be founders”, an initiative by Catalyst to projects across all businesses with the
used on complex issues with Covid- encourage new start-up companies to aim of increasing wealth creation and
related projects specifically being invited be created by entrepreneurs, students delivering additional jobs.
in calls. and researchers.
Accelerate delivery of the City and
Engaged with Innovate UK / Department Rolling out SME Process & Growth Deals programme including
for Business, Energy, Industrial Strategy Organisational Improvement Grant signing of Heads of Terms for “Mid-
(BEIS) to influence the UK Research & support. South West region” and “Causeway
Development and PLACE Strategies Coast” and start project delivery in the
Development and roll-out of a new pilot
ensuring that Northern Ireland specific in the “Belfast and Derry / Strabane
Productive Investment Capital Grant
nuances are recognised and Regions”.
Scheme.
understood. This influenced actions
Invest heavily in place based innovation
included within the strategies increasing Investing resource to support industry,
through City and Growth Deals.
the potential funding available for universities and councils develop major
innovation in NI. innovation, digital and tourism projects Develop Webinars and other potential
that will create new and better jobs and solutions and delivery models for NI
Developed and implemented a digitised
sustained economic growth. companies to support innovation.
innovation framework for NI companies
to improve their innovation success. To Delivering the COVID Digital Innovation Develop an action plan for NI to secure
date over 200 Bronze (first time and Productivity Programme to support additional funding from UK government
innovators) certificates have been businesses across the tourism sector to through the Levelling Up agenda
awarded. enhance their digital capability. contributing to stronger investment in NI
commercial R&D capabilities.
Work collaboratively with Tourism Ireland
to digitally link online visitor behaviour to
real time visitors by delivering intense
localised marketing.
18ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Stimulating Research & Development and Innovation
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
Supported Belfast City Region and Derry Working with Visit Britain to use Tourism Support the development of cross-
Strabane District Council in identification Exchange Great Britain (TxGB), a border innovation collaborations and
of projects for inclusion in their centralised booking platform, to enable clusters through the InterTradeIreland
respective City Deals, valued at over NI businesses to access new markets Synergy Programme.
£600m. and manage sales across multiple Develop proposals to implement an
Extend the eligibility criteria of the global distribution channels. Artificial Intelligence Centre of
InnovateUs programme to include Social Supporting a greater number of firms to Excellence. The aim of the proposed
Enterprises and to allow businesses to innovate; develop new products, centre includes positioning NI as AI
undertake a third project. processes or services; and improve leaders on the globally competitive world
Provided additional funding for efficiency through InterTradeIreland stage.
University Research & Development. Innovation Programmes (FUSION / Promote NI as a global cyber security
Innovation Boost, Impact). hub, to achieve New Decade New
Partnered with Innovate UK to enable
increased access to UK funding e.g. Piloting a cyber security job vacancy Approach commitment of 5,000 cyber
Innovate UK Fast Start Grant Support platform with free online access to security professionals in Northern
Programmes. skilled training. Ireland by 2030.
Moved cross-border Innovation supports Create a Chief Scientific & Technology
online (Inc. the All-island Innovation Officer post to advise and guide on
Programme) to increase participation science, technology, R&D, innovation
and accessibility, enabling firms to policies and strategies in the context of
improve their competitiveness as they economic development.
respond to Covid-19 challenges. Fund NI university participation in
large-scale collaborative Research
Centres in key strategic sectors.
Expand the prestigious US-Ireland R&D
Programme to generate further valuable
discoveries and innovations which are
transferable to the marketplace.
Expand strategic investment in
university R&D to promote economic
productivity and prosperity through
excellent science and its
commercialisation.
19ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Promoting Investment, Trade and Exports
The transformational impact of trade ensure that any issues businesses have disadvantaged and those
and export growth for a small open in sourcing from GB are resolved in a who have been most impacted
economy like NI, in terms of global permanent and complete way, if we are by the pandemic and the subsequent
competitiveness, job creation, to maximise our economic opportunity. economic downturn.
productivity, innovation and,
importantly, sub-regional balance, is In recent years our economy has As a small SME dominated economy,
such that export growth and benefited from strong employment entrepreneurship remains a key success
attracting inward investment will be growth and provided valuable support to factor for economic recovery and future
pivotal in the region’s recovery indigenous and overseas businesses to growth. More so than ever, it is critical
agenda and critical for our longer create new jobs in Northern Ireland. The that all economic development partners
term prosperity. current pandemic has disrupted global collaborate to build and nurture a strong
markets and trade leading to a sharp entrepreneurship ecosystem where our
Promoting trade and investment will be increase in unemployment in recent start-ups, early stage and growth
an important part of recovery. The size months. However, even in the face of businesses with potential to scale are
of the NI market is relatively small and adversity, opportunities remain in key able to realise their ambitions and to
external sales provide a vital part of sectors to drive external market growth, flourish.
business growth in NI. There has been rebuild and create new jobs.
significant change across key markets City and Growth Deals are large
over the past year as a result of COVID, We will ensure that we adapt and flex strategic investments that have the
leaving the European Union and the our existing employment and skills potential to seismically shift the NI
protocol. However, even in this support and introduce new initiatives to economy and accelerate the economic
challenging environment work must enable businesses to take advantage of regeneration of the region. The Deals
continue to increase exports and these new market opportunities and provide multi-faceted coverage of
promote NI as a destination for inward adapt to new ways of doing business. activities that link industrial, societal,
investment in a very competitive This will help to create new jobs and and regional challenges in a
environment. We must recognise that employment opportunities for all, comprehensive, inclusive way.
exports rely on inputs, and we must also including our young people, the
20ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Promoting Investment, Trade and Exports (continued)
The four local Deals will see a combined
investment of £1.5 billion from the NI
Executive and the UK Government over
the next 10 years.
Deals are aligned to NI’s priority sectors
and will contribute directly to the
development of a much stronger and
globally focused business base. The
deals will also seek to develop our
workforce, provide social inclusion,
regenerate areas, and build new
infrastructure to support NI’s economic
recovery.
21ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
DfE will promote Investment, Trade & Exports by:
• Push for a permanent and complete solution to end frictions brought about by the protocol;
• Securing clarity on long term trading arrangements and the regulatory environment arising from
EU exit;
• Building on the success of Invest NI’s International Strategy, and the continued promotion of NI’s
sectoral strengths across its global network, to maximise trade and investment opportunities;
• Providing investment and employment support to business to help them rebuild;
• Stimulating demand for local businesses including retail, restaurants and hotels;
• Assisting businesses to explore and increase cross border and GB market trade and develop new
markets;
• Working with businesses to help them adapt to new trading conditions, and
• Ensuring SMEs in Northern Ireland are provided with support and guidance to fully benefit from
opportunities for cross-border growth.
22ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Investment, Trade & Exports
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
Provided a Covid-19 Business & Developing a High Street Stimulus Secure additional funding from DCMS to
Financial Planning Grant, which offered Scheme to provide individuals extend Project Stratum to include a
up to £8,000 of support to businesses throughout Northern Ireland with a further 2,500 premises not currently ‘in
operating in manufacturing, personalised prepaid card to be spent at scope’, increasing the number of eligible
construction, professional services, ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses including premises can benefit from increased
information and communication, or retail, hospitality and close contact broadband coverage.
science and technology to engage with services.
Flex and adapt employment programmes
professional support. Establishing a shared DfC / Invest NI to support new job creation in response to
Provided grant support to businesses team approach when engaging with changing business needs, to take
via the Covid-19 Digital Selling & companies to assist in securing advantage of new investment opportunities
Capability Grant. This scheme provides employment for the economically and to ensure that those most impacted
funding to help local businesses develop inactive and unemployed. are included.
their e-commerce & online selling Leading the cross departmental Social Invest NI will work with partners and
capabilities. Economy Policy Group to deliver an stakeholders such as Enterprise NI to
integrated strategic approach to the refresh and relaunch its Entrepreneurship
social economy. Funding the Social Forum and develop an Entrepreneurship
Economy Work Programme to support Action Plan.
social enterprises to be part of NI’s
Intensify support for businesses to sell to
economic recovery.
the GB market.
Tourism Ireland marketing air and sea
Roll out a new Export Health Check for NI
connectivity to Northern Ireland in
businesses to establish export readiness,
2021/22.
ambition & support needs.
Providing support to Tour Operator &
Destination Management Companies Offer a new International Sales & Marketing
through development of marketing Leaders Programme.
assets which can be used by tour Raise awareness, ambition & confidence to
operators to promote Northern Ireland export as a pathway to recovery & growth
internationally.. through an NI-wide marketing campaign.
Deliver a new international marketing
campaign to reinforce ‘Why NI’ for
international investors underlining new
selling points of post EU Exit opportunites,
our resilience and NI as a destination for
Covid-driven new business models.
23ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Investment, Trade & Exports
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
Used employment focused intervention Providing advice and guidance to NI Undertake a ‘call to action’ campaign to the
programmes to safeguard and build a employers, employees and policy NI diaspora to support economic recovery
wide range of employment opportunities makers on the NI Labour Market, including the appointment of Trade
in the immediate aftermath of the employee relations, best practice and Ambassadors in key markets & sectors.
emergence of COVID-19. compliance in response to the pandemic
Expand on the ground support for NI
and its impact on labour relations
Delivered a locally focused EU Exit businesses selling overseas to drive exporter
communications campaign focusing on Introducing a COVID Market Led Product confidence, capability and ultimately sales in
key actions for business in the run up to Development Programme to support markets that align with our export sectors of
31 December 2020 i.e. Brexit Tourist attractions, venues and strength.
Preparation Grants, on-line EU Exit experience providers enhance their
Work in conjunction with DfC and the
Resilience Tool, Advice Clinics, support products and tailor them to changed
Councils to set targets for the NI Business
for all NI businesses via Webinars, FAQS market conditions.
Start Up Programme that provides advice
and guidance on nibusiness.info.
Developing a heavyweight tourism and support to people seeking to start their
Doubled the capacity of our Graduate to consumer advertising programme own business.
Export (G2E) programme, which builds across and NI and ROI to give consumer
Work jointly with DAERA to deliver an
capability of NI businesses to develop confidence and stimulate demand.
Independent Strategic Review of the NI Agri
new overseas markets and attract trade
Delivering targeted product marketing in Food Sector.
growth opportunities whilst developing
high value tourism sectors including
export-experienced graduates. Extending Work with the UK Department for Transport,
Business Tourism, Tour Operators and
G2E drives further trade growth for NI. as civil aviation is a reserved matter, to
Golf.
identify how we can provide support to
Providing support to the Market Access airlines, to maintain and enhance NI’s
Programme to stimulate and sustain domestic and international air connectivity.
tourism marketing activity.
Support North West air connectivity with GB
Delivering Crisis Management and by Funding, alongside the UK Department
Turnaround Fund support for tourism for Transport (DfT), the City of Derry Airport
businesses including provision of a to London Public Service Obligation route
financial and business plan review to over the next two financial years. This is
support viability of the wider tourism subject to Executive agreement and DfT
ecosystem. Ministerial approval.
Deliver a ‘Holiday at Home’ voucher
campaign to stimulate demand from NI
residents to staycation in NI in support of the
tourism industry.
24ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Investment, Trade & Exports
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
In the run up to 31 December 2020, DfE Delivering enhanced digital capability Carry out sectoral research on EU Exit
and its Arms Length Bodies (ALBs) and presence to cross-border traders business opportunities focusing on the
provided a range of support to help through the E-Merge Digital Programme. sectors where NI has a competitive
business prepare and to provide guidance advantage.
Funding research to deliver a NI Aerospace
and training as part of their EU Exit
Customer Diversification Programme to Promote and develop cross border trade to
Communications Campaign.
assist the NI Aerospace cluster recover support the enhancement and expansion
Delivered cross-border business and build resilience. of IntertradeIreland’s support to SMEs, via
development support through their trade programmes and innovation
Continue to provide financial support to
InterTradeIreland’s Emergency Business programmes including FUSION, Innovation
assist NI companies, particularly high
Support Programme. Boost, and Impact.
growth SMEs, realise their export potential,
Helped secure £5.7m joint funding develop export opportunities, and Deliver an “Experience Development
package in May 2020 to maintain NI’s air stimulate more companies to export to a Programme” to provide grant funding for
connectivity with GB mainland during initial wider range of markets. tourism experience providers to help
COVID pandemic. develop their businesses.
Engaging with the British Business Bank
Developed “A Practical Guide to Working and other relevant stakeholders, to Tourism Ireland to undertake international
from Home” and practical guidance on the encourage and promote alternative forms marketing programmes in core markets
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ of finance, and respond to changing when consumer sentiment indicates this is
access to finance requirements during the appropriate, to increase international
.
economic recovery. visitor numbers to NI.
Work with Tourism Ireland on a timely and
strategic review of the GB Market and
implement NI specific campaigns in GB
when the time is right.
Accelerate the development of the Tourism
Data Hub to support the industry with real
time data to inform decision making.
25ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Investment, Trade & Exports
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
Delivered online webinar sessions to Delivering support via equity funding to Invest NI will work with partners and
develop the export capabilities of all NI innovative early stage companies to stakeholders to refresh and relaunch its
businesses including e-business skills. leverage additional investment and help Entrepreneurship Forum and develop an
these companies develop and market their Entrepreneurship Action Plan.
Project Stratum will be completed by
products and services, thereby supporting
March 2024 and will close the broadband Expand support through Invest NI to help
external sales and employment growth
connectivity gap that exists in Northern micro and small businesses (particularly in
Ireland. The project will deploy Gigabit Delivery of a Website Development sectors most impacted by COVID-19) to
capable broadband services to Programme for tourism businesses to overcome current economic challenges
approximately 76,000 premises across receive capital grants for the upgrading of and sustain businesses while they are
predominantly rural parts of Northern their websites to make them bookable planning for future recovery and growth in
Ireland, providing citizens and businesses online. a post Covid-19 economy. Young, female
with the opportunity to access the highest and part-time workers will be specifically
broadband speeds available to consumers targeted through this support.
Establish a cross-border Trade Information
Service to provide a comprehensive
service to firms trading goods and services
across the border, ensuring firms in NI
have the information and support needed
to benefit from cross-border growth
opportunities.
Undertake a programme of research,
business communications, business
supports and policy work to support trade
in the context of the Protocol.
26ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Building a Greener Economy
In “Rebuilding a Stronger Economy”, offers the NI economy the opportunity to reduce emissions across all
it is recognised that the economic build resilience, increase productivity, sectors by transforming the way
recovery must be sustainable, create jobs, strengthen competitiveness we design, produce and use products. This
environmentally responsible and and realise carbon, energy and cost will contribute to the UK’s 2050, net zero
tackle climate change. Energy, across savings. ambitions. It will also help to eliminate
power, heat and transport, accounts plastic pollution, support clean and
for approximately two thirds of all By encouraging innovation in renewable inclusive growth and create jobs, many of
greenhouse gas emissions and energy and low carbon technologies we which will be high-skilled.
substantial investment from can help to decarbonise energy and
consumers and the public and private contribute to the growth of a greener
sectors will be needed in contributing economy. The Hydrogen Economy can
to the UK’s 2050 net zero target. The build on our world-leading capabilities in
Department is therefore leading on the renewables and manufacturing to create
development of a new Energy Strategy new sustainable jobs through: hydrogen
which will set out the pathway to a production using renewable energy;
greener economy. hydrogen demand within the transport,
industry, power and heat sectors; the
Clean energy is an area where manufacture of cutting-edge new
investment will increase globally. It is technologies such as electrolysers;
essential that we capture and benefit export opportunities for advanced
from the significant opportunities that manufacturing in global hydrogen supply
exist in clean energy, that we support chains; and supporting a low carbon
green innovation and grow a sustainable and hydrogen skills base.
and environmentally responsible
greener economy. Energy efficiency Developing the Circular Economy will help
27ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
DfE will support a Greener Economy by:
• Delivering a net zero carbon energy transition;
• Improving energy efficiency of buildings and industry;
• Encouraging green innovation in renewables and low carbon technologies;
• Developing the Hydrogen Economy and Circular Economy;
• Enabling a low carbon workforce; and
• Working collaboratively across Government on a green growth approach to recovery.
28ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Building a Greener Economy
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
Supported the creation of a hydrogen Supporting local councils to develop Re-open the COVID-19 Energy Efficiency
economy by funding NI Water to proposals for a hydrogen training hub. Capital Grant to applications in
undertake an innovative Oxygen and 2021/22. This will support businesses
Establish an NI Working Group to
Hydrogen Demonstrator Project. This in implementing energy efficiency
support NI companies gain access to UK
will be the first in the UK and Ireland to measures, providing cost and carbon
Government Department for Business,
demonstrate how electrolysis can help savings.
Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) &
to increase processing capacity, reduce
Innovate UK funding in 2021 through Develop proposals to introduce a Green
carbon emissions and improve flexibility
increasing the success of NI firms in Innovation Challenge Fund that will seek
in the electricity grid.
accessing funds for innovative low applications from NI businesses on
Delivered a contract, in partnership with carbon energy technologies. innovative low carbon technologies that
DoF and SIB, for 100% renewable will place NI at the forefront of the
Developing an Invest to Save Fund to
electricity to be supplied to Government energy transition.
finance investments in central
buildings. This contract demonstrates
government buildings to provide energy, Develop proposals to introduce an
how procurement can be a key lever in
carbon and cost savings. This project Energy Efficiency Home Retrofit Scheme
the transition to a Green Economy. The
will stimulate growth, create new jobs to drive energy efficiency in the NI
action helps the NI Executive meet its
and encourage investment in innovative building stock, providing opportunities
carbon reduction targets and produces
and renewable technologies. for job creation and green economic
financial savings which can be
growth.
reinvested in public services.
29ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTION PLAN FEBRUARY 2021
REBUILDING A STRONGER ECONOMY
Building a Greener Economy
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
Provided “virtual” technical consultancy Developing a Circular Economy Strategic Launch an Energy Strategy by the end of
support to businesses to help identify Framework for NI to be published March 2021.
improvement opportunities in the area 2022.
Develop options to increase renewable
of energy and resource efficiency driving
Working with UK partners to identify and electricity investment in NI, including
improvements in business
target NI supply chain opportunities for extending Contracts for Difference and
competitiveness. Since April 2020,
offshore wind. launch a pilot Solar Photovoltaic grant
support has been provided to 60
scheme.
businesses to undertake 86 projects.
Develop a sustainable regenerative
Announced that a new 2030 renewable
Tourism Strategy for NI.
electricity target for NI should not be
below 70%. Work with the Utility Regulator to review
how regulation can facilitate economic
Delivered an Energy Efficiency Capital
growth in delivering the Energy Strategy.
Grant to help businesses recover by
building resilience through energy Develop specific targets and metrics to
efficiency. The grant supported the encourage companies to enter markets
purchase and installation of equipment in the clean, green or circular economy
that offers greater efficiency in the use to increase sales and drive sustained
of energy, providing cost and carbon economic growth.
savings.
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