ECONOMY AND JOB CREATION The economic prosperity of the area and people that I represent is a priority for me. Unemployment has dropped consistently over the eight years that I have been the local MP and now stands at just 1.4%, the lowest in Northern Ireland.

However, with increasing global competition, there is no room for complacency and I am working closely with both government and local business representatives to expand our manufacturing base and attract even more investment into the Lagan Valley region. This includes the prospect of multi-million pound developments at Sprucefield and a National Sports Stadium and other major facilities located on the site of the former Maze prison.