The Northern Irish economy is reaping the benefits of the near parity of the pound to the euro, according to the BBC.
Border towns are seeing people flooding over the border from the Irish Republic to take advantage of low VAT and the preferential interest rate.
The Irish government recently increased the VAT rate in the republic to 21.5% whilst the British government reduced the rate to 15% in the UK. This, combined with some shops offering a straight £1 for €1 exchange rate, has led to booming trade in Northern Irish border towns.
The Asda store in Eniskillen is the 6th busiest Wal*Mart store in the world and 60% of its customers in the last week have come from the Irish Republic.
We should be doubly happy for our friends in the province - not only are they one of the few parts of the UK to see any real benefit in the reduced VAT rate but the boost to the Northern Irish economy should mean that their Barnett begging bowl should be that little bit smaller in April.
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