Shake-up of UK investment strategy should now prompt Stormont to end ongoing regional bias
Investment is needed to produce returns that can be measured in economic, social or environmental terms — sometimes all three. That can be true for businesses, but also for governments. All of which makes public sector investment choices important and politically contentious.
There have been criticisms for decades the UK Government prioritised investment in the most wealthy areas at the expense of deprived regions. HM Treasury uses its 'Green Book' as part of its assessment of investment proposals. The government recently completed a review of the Green Book and its use.
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Shake-up of UK investment strategy should now prompt Stormont to end ongoing regional bias
The bulk of public money is spent in greater Belfast area, leading to serious variations in economical and social outcomes. Surely the purpose of government is to improve the wellbeing of the population as a whole, not just a part Investment is needed to produce returns that can be measured in economic, social or environmental terms — sometimes all three. That can be true for businesses, but also for governments. All of which makes public sector investment choices important and politically contentious. There have been criticisms for decades the UK Government prioritised investment in the most wealthy areas at the expense of deprived regions. HM Treasury uses its 'Green Book' as part of its assessment of investment proposals. The government recently completed a review of the Green Book and its use.
