Unionists lobby for more community funding

The British government is facing new demands today to invest heavily in economically deprived loyalist districts.

The British government is facing new demands today to invest heavily in economically deprived loyalist districts.

A delegation of Democratic Unionist MPs is seeking pledges that help would be given to working class Protestant communities at a meeting with Northern Ireland Office Minister David Hanson.

Deputy leader Peter Robinson, Nigel Dodds and Jeffrey Donaldson will take part in the talks at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Earlier this month Mr Hanson announced a multi-million pound investment package for the loyalist Village area of south Belfast, involving new homes, business units and a sports ground.

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Mr Dodds, North Belfast MP, said his party had been pressing the Government for months in a bid to secure further assistance.

"The meeting with David Hanson and senior officials comes at a crucial time as Government moves towards completing its round of meetings and starts to formulate proposals," he said.

"We are addressing a range of issues covering education, skills, training, regeneration, housing and community issues.

"We are contending with years of neglect by those in authority and a lack of long term strategic direction," Mr Dodds said.