The Northern Ireland Executive has published its latest Programme for Government progress report, setting out delivery across the nine priorities agreed for the 2024-2027 mandate.

For Chamber members, the report is most relevant where it touches the conditions businesses need to grow: skills, childcare, health, housing, planning, infrastructure, town and city centre confidence, and better public services.

The report highlights progress across a number of business-relevant areas. These include more than £490 million approved for 22 City and Growth Deal projects, £27 million investment in Ulster University’s Magee campus and £20 million through the Skills Fund, which supported 17,000 people and 1,100 employers. Magee student numbers are reported at 6,505, with applications up 21%.

There are also updates on issues that affect workforce participation and household pressures. The report says £55 million has been invested in childcare and early years provision, with 27,238 children and 20,206 families benefiting from the childcare subsidy scheme. Health waiting lists remain a major challenge, but the report records £135 million invested and more than 237,000 additional outpatient, diagnostic and inpatient procedures delivered.

Housing and infrastructure remain central for the North West. The report records 1,765 new-build social homes started, 940 co-ownership homes delivered and 5,300 additional properties able to connect to wastewater infrastructure. It also notes publication of the Living with Water in Derry/Londonderry Plan.

The original Programme for Government set ambitions across nine areas, including economic growth, childcare, health, housing, safer communities, Lough Neagh, Special Educational Needs and public service reform. The annual report provides a useful progress snapshot, but members will judge delivery by whether it results in faster decisions, better infrastructure, stronger skills supply and a more competitive business environment.

The takeaway:

Progress is being reported across all nine priorities, but members will want to see delivery turn into visible improvements for growth, infrastructure and public services in the North West.

You can read the report here: Programme for Government 2024-27: Annual Report 2025-26