Economy central to progress in deprived areas - Parsley

4.49.14pm GMT Thu 10th Nov 2005

North Down Alliance Councillor Ian James Parsley has called for the economy to be made much more central to progress in deprived areas.

Speaking after a meeting of the Holywood Good Relations group focusing on community cohesion in disadvantaged areas of the town, Cllr Parsley stated: "The Government's 'Shared Future' document offers at least the potential for progress on tackling poverty, deprivation and crime.

"Yet again we find that progress on these issues has been delayed, despite Government promises to provide three-yearly reports starting this autumn. I raised this with the Secretary of State on Tuesday, and my party will continue to raise it until we see some results.

"However, the 'Shared Future' document contains significant omissions, not least the total failure to deal with economic development. The economy is mentioned only four times in the entire document - and in each case the suggestion is that improved community relations will result in improved economic performance. This is in fact the other way around - improved economic performance is a prerequisite to genuine political progress and social cohesion.

"We simply need to ask ourselves, what opportunities exist for young people growing up in deprived areas of Northern Ireland today? The answers will not come in the form of lofty idealism, not matter how well intentioned. What is required is a serious economic strategy which will provide strong potential career paths for people right across the social spectrum. Only then will people be able to buy into the 'New Northern Ireland' they have so long been promised."

ENDS