Looks like the Tory's plans for the new 'Levelling Up' policy in NI, is to attack the long-term sick by claiming to address economic inactivity and sickness rates

IN FEBRUARY the Government unveiled its flagship so-called Levelling Up White Paper, setting out a plan to transform the UK. 

                 April 27th, 2022. 

    NEIL O'BRIEN: parliamentary under             secretary of state at the so-called                  Department for Levelling Up. 

Economic inactivity and long-term sickness levels in *orthern Ireland need to be tackled as part of the Government’s plan for levelling up the UK, a minister has told MPs. 

Neil O'Brien, parliamentary under-secretary of state at the so-called Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, told the *orthern Ireland Affairs Committee that average earnings in many parts of the region are below the UK average. 

 Levelling Up - YES - As long as you don't                       live in the North 

In February the Government unveiled its flagship Levelling Up White Paper, setting out a plan to transform the UK (so long as its not in the North) by spreading opportunity and property to all parts. 

      RESPECT For the Unemployed and                         Benefit Claimants. 

The committee is examining how the policies could benefit *orthern Ireland. 

Levelling up in *orthern Ireland must involve raising productivity closer to other parts of the UK Neil O'brien MP. 

Committee chairman Simon Hoare asked: "What does a leveled up *orthern Ireland look like? What are the main challenges you have identified to delivering that vision of levelling up?" 

     Rees-Mogg and Mr O’Brien pictured                       together in London. 

Mr O’Brien said: "Looking around *orthern Ireland you have local authorities where average earnings are between a fifth and a quarter below the UK average - some of the poorest places in the UK. 

"Levelling up in *orthern Ireland must involve raising productivity closer to other parts of the UK. 

"While *orthern Ireland has quite high qualifications levels, in terms of economic inactivity and long-term sickness there is the highest (in the UK). 

"But there are points of real strength in NI in the economy more broadly: there are some outstanding educational institutions, you've got some really leading sectors in aerospace and defence, there are some brilliant emerging sectors in fintech and agritech, and a lot of global growth potential and a highly skilled workforce. 

"There is a lot of potential there and levelling up, though a number of the things that we are doing, has to involve backing those strengths and addressing those problems. 

"Addressing those things are central to what a levelled-up *orthern Ireland would look like." 

      *orthern Ireland Affairs Committee          chairman Simon Hoare (Conservative                                Party/PA) 

Mr Hoare said: "Very often when initiatives come along to parts of *orthern Ireland the tendency is always to view it through the prism of is there balance between green and orange. 

"Do you see the levelling-up agenda as effectively being colour blind and building on that more pan-*orthern Ireland approach?" 

Mr O’Brien said: "The challenges are shared by everyone in *orthern Ireland. 

"It is something which should work for everyone in *orthern Ireland as an agenda." 

With many thanks to: The Irish News and Jonathan Mccambridge, PA for the original publication. 

Follow this link to find out more on this story: 'Levelling up must address economic inactivity and sickness rates