Brown defends Varney tax review

Mr Brown said the signs are people want to invest in Northern Ireland

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has defended the Varney taxation review.

Business leaders and politicians have criticised Sir David Varney for failing to recommend a cut in corporation tax in Northern Ireland.

But speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Brown said his government was committed to increasing investment.

"I've said to people in Northern Ireland I want them to get all the advantages that are available in the Republic," said the prime minister.

"And we will do that by providing a better service for businesses as they look to invest in Northern Ireland.

"We will provide help with research and development and we will provide training grants so that there is incentives for people to train people as they come to invest in Northern Ireland.

Mr Brown added: "We're also running an investment conference in America with the administration to support new investment in Northern Ireland and the signs are people want to come and invest in Northern Ireland."

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