8 June 2026
SDLP Opposition Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA has today introduced her Regional Balance Bill to the NI Assembly.
She described it as a significant milestone in the campaign to tackle regional inequality and rebalance Northern Ireland’s economy.
The Bill would place a legal duty on the Executive to establish a Regional Balance Strategic Framework aimed at addressing longstanding economic disparities between different regions.
It would also require all Executive Departments to have due regard to that Framework when developing policies, strategies and public services, and would create an annual accountability mechanism to measure and evaluate progress.
The Foyle MLA said:
“I'm very pleased to introduce the Regional Balance Bill to the Assembly today as it takes its first step to becoming law. I believe this legislation offers the Assembly a historic opportunity to rebalance our economy once and for all. For too long, regional balance has been an afterthought across government. As a result, communities across Northern Ireland, particularly places like Derry, have lost out. Despite repeated promises to spread opportunity more fairly, they have been left behind by successive governments.
“This Bill is about changing that. It will place regional balance at the heart of government decision-making across departments and create annual accountability for the first time. Too often, regional balance has been spoken about as an aspiration. This legislation seeks to turn it into an obligation.
“This Bill is about a fairer economy, where every community has a decent chance to succeed. Whether you live in Derry, Newry, Omagh, Enniskillen, Coleraine or Belfast, you should be able to access the opportunities needed to build a good life. Putting regional balance into law across our government will help us to deliver on that promise.
“I look forward to working with colleagues from across the Assembly in the months ahead to pass this legislation and ensure that regional balance becomes the law of the land.”