Belfast chamber chief: It is shameful that business face an uncertain future after all they’ve endured already

A statement from Simon Hamilton:
By Simon Hamilton
Published 23rd Dec 2021, 10:57 BST
Updated 23rd Dec 2021, 11:13 BST
Michelle O’Neill, Paul Givan and Robin Swann at Stormont yesterday "add insult to injury" with their new measures on businessMichelle O’Neill, Paul Givan and Robin Swann at Stormont yesterday "add insult to injury" with their new measures on business
Michelle O’Neill, Paul Givan and Robin Swann at Stormont yesterday "add insult to injury" with their new measures on business

For weeks now, businesses who have experienced a difficult 2021 have been subjected to a drip feed of speculation and scare-mongering about possible lockdowns and further restrictions.

As the rhetoric ramped up, the impact on businesses was very real as millions of pounds of trade disappeared, causing owners and their teams huge distress.

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Yesterday, the Stormont Executive added insult to injury. As well as having to deal with the impact of additional measures, businesses haven’t been offered a single penny in financial support.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

That is simply unacceptable and unforgivable.

What sort of a message does that send to the thousands of people who rely on jobs in the affected sectors and their supply chains to heat their homes and feed their families?

It is shameful that they now face into an uncertain future after all they’ve endured already.

It feels like businesses, their owners and their staff have been cast aside without a care.

Simon Hamilton, Belfast Chamber Chief Executive

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Related topics:Simon HamiltonBelfastStormont ExecutiveBen LowryNorthern Ireland