Minister of State for Northern Ireland Conor Burns MP met with Causeway Chamber Members on Wednesday 31st August. The Minister and guests visited with Andrew Lynas, Group Managing Director of Lynas Foodservice, at their Head Office

in Coleraine. Prior to a roundtable meeting, Minister Burns and members received a tour of Lynas Foodservice by Andrew (a finalist of this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards) who took delegates through their recent Distribution Centre expansion that includes a brand new state of the art voice pick technology.

The roundtable discussion was an opportunity for members to speak directly to government on a range of issues including – the cost of doing business, Brexit, plastic tax, skills and energy costs.

David Boyd, President of Causeway Chamber said, “We are at a critical juncture as a perfect storm of factors is causing devastation for many business sectors and could see thousands of businesses threatened over the next months if no action is taken. Our small businesses are inter-dependent on each other and we must do all we can to provide support.”

“We are seeing out of control energy bill increases, labour shortages, inflation, National Insurance increases, and sky-high business rates – the highest in the UK – all risking the business climate of Northern Ireland. Fears that many will simply go under in the next months without government assistance are keenly felt and we cannot continue on this path of destruction any longer.”

 “Intervention is required by the UK Government, as well as the limited powers of NI Executive Ministers, to stave off the worst of this crisis on business owners and provide tangible support and resources that could keep trade viable.”

 “We call on both Governments to consider our Cost of Doing Business Action Plan and engage with the business community on how best to implement urgent actions that can alleviate these crippling pressures. It will support both businesses and consumers in this most pressing of times.

Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Conor Burns MP said:

“The UK Government recognises the disruption that businesses have encountered due to global inflationary and supply chain pressures – not least the ramifications of the situation in Ukraine. And, of course here in Northern Ireland, the challenges caused by the interpretation and application of the Northern Ireland Protocol. We are working hard to solve these problems urgently.”

“Crucially, as we have consistently made clear, we need an Executive in place to make decisions around the allocation of funding that would help tackle rising costs and support NI businesses to thrive.”