Almost 16,000 workers furloughed or laid off in Mid and East Antrim during pandemic

A total of 212 of the council’s own staff are furloughed at present.

The council’s interim director of development has reported that Mid and East Antrim is one of five local authorities in Northern ireland which are expected to experience the biggest impact economically from the Covid-19 crisis.

The others are Mid Ulster, Newry, Causeway Coast and Glens and Mourne and Down.

The report states that this “reflects the sectoral concentrations of construction, many parts of manufacturing, accommodation, and/or retail in these areas”.

In response, an Economic Recovery Plan has been drawn up by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council which includes direct engagement with more than 1,600 businesses, two business support telephone lines, webinars on current issues with 14 scheduled for June, signposting manufacturing companies to funding opportunities and a continued focus on direct foreign investment.

The report says that council officers are continuing to “engage with companies to understand their challenges and develop solutions to aid recovery and reboot the economy”.

It has been acknowledged that the recovery process will be “challenging and lengthy”.

Two additional task force recovery groups for Mid and East Antrim have also been established for the borough’s town centres and hospitality and tourism sectors.

Four meetings have been held to date with participation by East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson and North Antrim MP Ian Paisley.

Speaking at a remote meeting of the borough council on Tuesday evening, TUV Bannside Councillor Timothy Gaston asked for an update on the number of furloughed workers in Mid and East Antrim.

Chief executive Anne Donaghy said that this figure changes on a “day to day basis” and she would provide an update at Friday’s meeting with group party leaders.

Coast Road Alliance Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna reported that she has received “quite a number of phone calls and emails thanking council for their support”, which she said, has been “very proactive and has identified key areas for support”.

Ballymena SDLP Councillor Eugene Reid commented: “In unprecedented times, we have to be proactive. We cannot take our eye off the ball.

“We are entering a severe downturn in terms of our economy. The focus must remain on how we progress all these sectors.”

Cllr Reid went on to say that he has had queries from people in other council areas asking how Mid and East Antrim Borough Council set up its tourism task force.

Meanwhile, Ballymena-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus has welcomed Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon’s announcement pledging £30m for low emission buses.

Wrightbus has said it is “delighted” with the Department’s commitment to invest in a “green recovery”.

Wrightbus chief executive Buta Atwal said: “Wrightbus is leading the way with its hydrogen and battery buses and we are delighted that Minister Mallon has pledged her commitment to a greener, cleaner recovery.

“In order to create jobs, encourage investment and cut emissions, we have to take action now. This is a positive step forward for Northern Ireland and shows Wrightbus stands ready to play a pivotal role in our shared economic recovery and net-zero future.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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