Menu
19/01/2011
Unionist Friction Over Budget Endorsement
Due to the high level of 'unknown outcomes' based on limited information and aspirational claims, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is 'unable' to endorse the draft Stormont Budget proposal.
The Finance Spokesperson, David McNarry, (pictured) said it failed to take proper account of inflation and had too little detail at this stage.
He said his party did not believe the budget could deliver economic stability or growth and must be reworked although it was only published just before Christmas.
The budget, which details savings of £4bn over four years, was said to "lack the cutting edge necessary for the delivery of economic stability and growth".
"The proposals do not encourage the climate of confidence necessary for significantly increased investment.
"We have already experienced the negative impacts of aspirational income targets not being met in the last budgetary cycle.
"In NI's interest and in the interest of credible and stabilizing government planning, we do not wish to repeat the experience," said a statement.
"However should the DUP and Sinn Fein - as the authors of the draft Budget - acknowledge the shortcomings in their agreed proposals, show a willingness to incorporate Ulster Unionist suggestions and amend their proposals accordingly the UUP will respond positively," concluded Mr McNarry.
Last week, the Ulster Unionist Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said that the health allocation would lead to 4,000 job losses before 2015.
Stormont Finance Minister, the DUP's Sammy Wilson responded quickly and said the cuts had been made necessary due to decisions made by the Conservative Party in Westminster, which he emphasised "stood on a joint ticket with the UUP in the election last year".
"The UUP response argues for more money for jobs, more for health, more for education but fails to indicate where this money would be found," he added.
"Each department has put forward compelling arguments but the reality is the pot is only a certain size and under the UUP's Tory friends, it keeps getting smaller," he said.
"It is gross hypocrisy for the UUP to reject the draft budget as they are a 'franchise' of the Conservative Party," he alleged.
"When I highlighted the probability of major Tory cuts during the election campaign, senior UUP representatives queued up to say I was scaremongering," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
The Finance Spokesperson, David McNarry, (pictured) said it failed to take proper account of inflation and had too little detail at this stage.
He said his party did not believe the budget could deliver economic stability or growth and must be reworked although it was only published just before Christmas.
The budget, which details savings of £4bn over four years, was said to "lack the cutting edge necessary for the delivery of economic stability and growth".
"The proposals do not encourage the climate of confidence necessary for significantly increased investment.
"We have already experienced the negative impacts of aspirational income targets not being met in the last budgetary cycle.
"In NI's interest and in the interest of credible and stabilizing government planning, we do not wish to repeat the experience," said a statement.
"However should the DUP and Sinn Fein - as the authors of the draft Budget - acknowledge the shortcomings in their agreed proposals, show a willingness to incorporate Ulster Unionist suggestions and amend their proposals accordingly the UUP will respond positively," concluded Mr McNarry.
Last week, the Ulster Unionist Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said that the health allocation would lead to 4,000 job losses before 2015.
Stormont Finance Minister, the DUP's Sammy Wilson responded quickly and said the cuts had been made necessary due to decisions made by the Conservative Party in Westminster, which he emphasised "stood on a joint ticket with the UUP in the election last year".
"The UUP response argues for more money for jobs, more for health, more for education but fails to indicate where this money would be found," he added.
"Each department has put forward compelling arguments but the reality is the pot is only a certain size and under the UUP's Tory friends, it keeps getting smaller," he said.
"It is gross hypocrisy for the UUP to reject the draft budget as they are a 'franchise' of the Conservative Party," he alleged.
"When I highlighted the probability of major Tory cuts during the election campaign, senior UUP representatives queued up to say I was scaremongering," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 November 2024
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
19 November 2024
Department Of Health Encourages Self-Care This Winter
The Department of Health is urging people to take steps to care for their health and well-being, especially during the winter months. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt emphasised the importance of self-care, particularly for older adults and individuals with long-term health conditions.
Department Of Health Encourages Self-Care This Winter
The Department of Health is urging people to take steps to care for their health and well-being, especially during the winter months. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt emphasised the importance of self-care, particularly for older adults and individuals with long-term health conditions.
14 November 2024
Health Minister Seeks Urgent Talks On Pay
The Health Minister has confirmed that he has requested an early meeting with health service trade unions to discuss next steps on pay offers for 2024/25. Due to Northern Ireland's budgetary constraints, the Minister is unable to deliver the desired pay settlements for this year.
Health Minister Seeks Urgent Talks On Pay
The Health Minister has confirmed that he has requested an early meeting with health service trade unions to discuss next steps on pay offers for 2024/25. Due to Northern Ireland's budgetary constraints, the Minister is unable to deliver the desired pay settlements for this year.
29 March 2011
Robinson Supports Derry Cancer Unit Plan
The outgoing Stormont First Minister, Peter Robinson, has announced his commitment to a new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital. His statement follows the former Health Minister Michael McGimpsey's announcement last week that the unit would not be built because funding was insufficient.
Robinson Supports Derry Cancer Unit Plan
The outgoing Stormont First Minister, Peter Robinson, has announced his commitment to a new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital. His statement follows the former Health Minister Michael McGimpsey's announcement last week that the unit would not be built because funding was insufficient.
28 November 2003
Final results in for 2003 NI Assembly election
UPDATE: With all counts declared on Friday evening the clear winners are the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party who have claimed 10 more seats on the Assembly and Sinn Féin who have won 6 seats.
Final results in for 2003 NI Assembly election
UPDATE: With all counts declared on Friday evening the clear winners are the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party who have claimed 10 more seats on the Assembly and Sinn Féin who have won 6 seats.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
