North’s parties give lukewarm response to £50bn 'dividend'

The leaders of the North's political parties have given a lukewarm reaction to the £50bn "peace dividend" announced by British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown yesterday.

Mr Brown announced plans to spend the extra money in the North in the next 10 years in order to help it improve its economic competitiveness after decades of conflict.

The move followed lobbying by the North's political parties, who were also seeking a cut in corporation tax and concessions on fuel duties.

Neither of these was mentioned in yesterday's announcement.

The DUP has already said the package is unacceptable, while the UUP said it was disappointed.

Sinn Féin, meanwhile, said it was disappointed, while the SDLP said it wanted to look at the proposals in more detail.