Northern Ireland better off in Single Market - political economist
Northern Irish businesses are largely better off in the Single Market under the NI Protocol, according to a political economist.
And associate professor Beverley Nielsen (pictured) of Birmingham City University believes the nation has prospered post-Covid in comparison to England, Scotland and Wales.
Ms Nielsen, BCU 's director of the Institute for Design, Economic Acceleration and Sustainability, says Northern Ireland is benefiting from the Single Market - despite the narrative from UK government.
She said: “The statistics also offer an alternative to the narrative pushed by Johnson and co.
“For NI businesses the Protocol has meant that they are still in the Single market and, whilst around half of firms claim to have found it harder to trade with Britain, 67 per cent have welcomed the opportunities it 's presented, with their economy reaching a 13-year high in 2021 - growing faster, with lower inflation, groceries 8 per cent cheaper and a 59 per cent increase in inward investment going into the Province in 2019/20. This compares to a 3 per cent decrease in Britain.
“It was noted in 2021 that the Northern Irish economy had largely recovered more quickly from Covid-19, making it the best performer of all UK nations and regions and, far from it being damaged by the NI Protocol as claimed by the UK government and the DUP, pointed to the Province prospering under it.
“The Protocol also leaves manufacturers in Northern Ireland, unlike the rest of the UK, able to export barrier-free to the EU with manufacturing jobs growing four times faster than in the rest of Britain.
“Continued political instability does not help anyone, especially Northern Irish business and its economy.
“But if this week's talks are anything to go by, it 's hard to see any immediate solutions being agreed, despite some encouraging noises from the Irish Republic.
“In the meantime, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss continue to indulge in their favourite past-time, 'Brussels baiting '. ”