Aiken: Business community being ‘killed off’ during Covid pandemic

Northern Ireland’s business community is being “killed off” by the lack of leadership during the pandemic, the Ulster Unionist leader has said.

The Stormont Assembly has called for a hardship fund for those excluded from existing Covid-19 support packages.

Small firms which operate from home are among those at risk of falling through the net of extensive official support provided by Stormont’s Economy Department, a debate heard.

One of the most disappointing things is the number of times people were told that the computer says noSteve Aiken

Steve Aiken said: “That ecosystem is being killed off.

“Many of those people have already gone to the wall.”

In another intervention during a Stormont discussion on the plight of struggling businesses it was said they had suffered a “kick in the teeth” from an Economy Department whose minister, Diane Dodds, had not displayed any understanding.

The Ulster Unionist leader added: “One of the most disappointing things is the number of times people were told that the computer says no.”

Mrs Dodds said more than £1 billion in official support had provided a much needed lifeline for struggling firms.

Mr Aiken said not enough had been done.

“We have had eight months of committees, groups and paper,” he said.

“What we need is some leadership.”

Mrs Dodds said her department had paid out £340 million across its business support schemes.

She called for an extension of the Government’s jobs furlough scheme and admitted the Executive could not safeguard every job.

Diane Dodds said her department had paid out £340 million across its business support schemes (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA)
Diane Dodds said her department had paid out £340 million across its business support schemes (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA)

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