The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has described today’s figures showing an increase in unemployment as disappointing, but urged a greater focus on ‘solutions, rather than problems’.
NIIRTA chief executive, Glyn Roberts, said: “While today’s increase in unemployment is disappointing, the central focus must on providing solutions, rather dwelling on the problem itself.
“The executive should consider producing an emergency Small Business Growth Bill which would include new measures to support local businesses growth, in employing more staff and investing.
“Measures such as radically reducing red tape, making employment law more small business friendly, establishing Enterprise Zones and extending the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme could be included in an Executive Small Business Growth Bill to kick-start recovery in our small business sector.
“NIIRTA also has put forward 50 ideas to grow our retail sector in our Town Centre First document, which we will be discussing with ministers within the next few weeks.”
Source: Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA)
