Northern Ireland

Coronavirus: 'Urgent financial package' needed to keep British-Irish supply chain open

A P&O ferry bound for Dublin was blocked from leaving Liverpool last week due to a payment dispute
A P&O ferry bound for Dublin was blocked from leaving Liverpool last week due to a payment dispute A P&O ferry bound for Dublin was blocked from leaving Liverpool last week due to a payment dispute

The Chancellor must urgently approve a financial support package for hauliers, ports, airports to keep the supply chain between Northern Ireland and Britain open, Labour has said.

On Thursday, a P&O ferry bound for Dublin, carrying supplies of food and medicine for the whole of Ireland, was blocked from leaving Liverpool due to a payment dispute.

The pandemic has put growing pressure on the supply chain.

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Most flights have been grounded and the north's three airports have been in discussions with the Department for Transport about how they can continue to operate.

Yorkshire born MP Louise Haigh
Yorkshire born MP Louise Haigh Yorkshire born MP Louise Haigh

Interim Shadow Secretary of State, Louise Haigh, has written to the Chancellor calling for support.

"Voices across Northern Ireland are demanding urgent intervention to safeguard critical supply chains in food, medicine and goods," she said.

"The Chancellor must end the logjam and provide the immediate financial support airports, ports, hauliers and ferry operators have been demanding for weeks. Northern Ireland cannot afford to wait a moment longer for the green light from the Treasury.”

Yesterday, the British Government pledged a further £50 million in funding to support the Executive’s efforts to tackle coronavirus.

Secretary of State Brandon Lewis said the extra money "will help bolster vital public services as they respond to the challenges of coronavirus".