Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
NI to be worst-hit UK region over lockdown
Think tank’s economy warning O’shea lines out for top 5K challenge
Orchardville, a charity and social enterprise that supports change for those living with learning disabilities and autism, has opened a cafe at Stormont’s Castle Buildings. Six jobs will be created and the initiative will provide training opportunities for people to learn skills that will enhance their employment prospects.
NORTHERN Ireland’s economy is likely to suffer adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic for longer than other parts of the UK, a new think tank has said.
Pivotal, made up of representatives from across the private, public and third sectors, said the lockdown has exposed long-term structural weakness and the scale of the slump that follows will dwarf that of previous recessions.
It called on the Executive to go beyond dealing with the immediate impact of the pandemic on the economy to tackle persistent issues
IRELAND Rugby 7s and Love Island winner Greg O’shea launches the Grant Thornton 5K Challenge, including the Runway Run which this year is going virtual for the first time.
The GT5K race series, which is Ireland’s largest and longest such as low skills and productivity, as well as modernising infrastructure and boosting sustainability.
The group’s research said there is a unique opportunity to “build a Northern Ireland fit for the future” by developing a strategy focused on inclusive growth, creating high-quality jobs and boosting prosperity for all.
Ann Watt, director of Pivotal, said now is the time to act. She added: running corporate event of its type, has seen 44,700 runners take part over the last eight years across Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Galway.
All proceeds from the event, which will run from August 14 to 16, will go to Alzheimer’s Society
“Everyone can see that there has been a huge amount of disruption and this is set to continue.
“We should use this time to make changes that Northern Ireland needs. The Executive acted quickly in response and Athletics Northern Ireland’s junior high performance programme.
For more information about the GT5K race series or to register yourself as a competitor, visit www.grantthorntonni.com/ gt5k. to the immediate health and economic crises arising from Covid-19. Now it needs to be similarly bold and develop a long-term economic vision.” Ms Watt said that vision needs to be built not just by the Department of the Economy but by all parties in the Executive coming together. She added: “Their efforts cannot try to turn back the clock – they must transform Northern Ireland.”