Kickstarting Growth | Delivering Infrastructure | Enabling Net Zero

As we enter 2026, Northern Ireland faces significant economic, infrastructure and
energy challenges, but also clear opportunities to unlock growth and investment.

MPANI members, who supply the essential materials that underpin housing, roads,
water, energy and renewable infrastructure, are calling on the NI Assembly and

Executive to provide the leadership, certainty and decisions required to sustain growth
and competitiveness.

Our Key Priorities

1. Long-Term Capital Funding Certainty

Immediately agree a multi-year capital budget for consultation through to 2030, with
full Executive agreement by the end of March.

Long-term certainty is critical to:

• Plan and deliver major infrastructure
• Reduce inflation, delays and inefficiencies
• Enable private sector investment in skills, apprenticeships. Decarbonisation and
  creation of Good Jobs!

2. Fully Fund NI Water (PC28)

Take the necessary decisions to ensure NI Water’s next Price Control (PC28) is
fully funded.

Continued underfunding is:

• Restricting housing supply
• Constraining economic growth
• Driving higher long-term costs

3. Use Existing Powers to Grow the Executives Budget

Encourage the NI Executive to use the revenue-raising powers it already has.

Without action:

• Infrastructure and our most important built assets will continue to deteriorate
  creating longer term costs.
• Economic competitiveness with our neighbours will be eroded
• Costs will escalate for future generations as we continue to “kick the can down
  the road”

4. Publish the Investment Strategy

Agree and publish the long-awaited Investment Strategy without further delay.
Industry needs clarity on:

• Infrastructure priorities
• Net Zero pathways
• Alignment between public and private investment

5. Complete Planning Reform

Finalise and implement the planning changes already agreed through the planning
review process.

A more efficient system is essential to:

• Accelerate infrastructure delivery
• Reduce uncertainty and cost
• Support sustainable development

6. Reduce Energy Costs & Enable Net Zero

Take decisive action to reduce energy prices in Northern Ireland. Ensure the transition to Net Zero is practical, affordable and competitive.

High energy costs are undermining:

• Business investment
• Decarbonisation
• Jobs and growth

7. Working in Partnership

Business and industry stand ready and willing to work with you to deliver these outcomes. With political leadership, long-term planning and timely decisions, Northern Ireland can unlock investment, deliver critical infrastructure and build a resilient low-carbon economy.

Gordon Best
Regional Director MPANI