AQO 1121/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 24/10/2024
Answered On Date: 12/11/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of the role of Community Wealth Building in creating a thriving economy.

Answer:

Question 13 – AQO 1121/22-27

We continue to make positive progress in relation to the 25 recommendations outlined in the 2022 Community Wealth Building report.

In line with recommendation 1, I set up and tasked a Social Enterprise Co-Design Group with creating a 3-year Action Plan which is due to launch within the coming weeks.

As per recommendation 10, I have established a Credit Union Working Group to consider the legislative framework for Credit Unions.

My department recently published significant research on employee ownership models, their benefits, and potential of growth here.

This delivers on recommendation 4 of the report. I am fully supportive of a full-time Living Wage franchise to encourage uptake of the Real Living Wage and will provide £125,000 per year to Advice NI to carry out this work, which relates to recommendation 12.