O’Neill called the UK government’s approach “extremely short-sighted” and urged ministers to reconsider.
“These City and Growth Deals will be game-changers for the regeneration of our cities and towns and a catalyst for economic growth and creating good jobs,” she said.
“It’s crucial that they continue as planned.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said Stormont officials “were informed of this potential direction of travel on Wednesday”.
“We raised this during a meeting with the Chancellor in London on Thursday, spelling out the dire consequences such a decision would have and urged for a reconsideration,” she said.
The total value of the deals is valued at more than £1bn with most of the money coming from the UK government.
Pause does sound a bit ominous.
