Menu
23/11/2017
Chancellor Pledges Extra £650m For NI
Chancellor Philip Hammond has pledged an additional £650 million for Northern Ireland in his Budget announcement.
The funding is expected to be split over three years.
However, Ulster Unionist Finance spokesperson, Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, said that local businesses in NI will not benefit from the Chancellor's Budget at all.
He said: "I would congratulate the Chancellor of the Exchequer for being able to produce the Budget, something which Northern Ireland's last Finance Minister Mairtin O Muilleoir hadn't the fiscal knowledge or ability to do.
"Whilst the cap on public sector pay appears to be weakening, and not before time, it remains outrageous that in the absence of local Ministers even the most modest 1% recommendations of local Pay Review Bodies cannot be signed off and implemented here. Not for the first time, Northern Ireland's public sector workers are getting the worst end of the deal.
"The review of the APD and the impact of VAT on tourism is progress, however there should have been real movement on the issue in this year's Budget rather than having to wait until the next. There have already been a plethora of reports and studies produced, so this further delay remains inexplicable and will simply represent another year of lost opportunity.
"The announcement of £650m additional spending for Northern Ireland is of course welcome, especially as the Chancellor's previous Spring Budget set out a major real-terms reduction in 2018/19. Further clarity is urgently needed on it in order for the real impact to be properly assessed.
"I would commend the Chancellor for recognising the need to reduce the burden of business rates, however given the issue is devolved in Northern Ireland - and the last Executive failed to address the issue – local businesses will not benefit from it at all."
SDLP Brexit Spokesperson Claire Hanna MLA said the Budget shows that the reality of Brexit has started to hit home.
"The very fact that the British Government had to set aside £3 billion to ensure that they can prepare for Brexit shows that reality has started to hit home. Contrary to promises to spend an additional £350 million per week on the NHS, this budget allocated more to administrate the Brexit chaos.
"Reports claim that this money will only cover the cost of work carried out by civil servants and will make no dent in the money the UK is likely to pay to the EU.
"With growth being slashed and higher inflation, our economy is continuing to struggle with no real thinking from the British Government on how to recover it. Instead the British Government continue to sleepwalk into Brexit despite the fact that post-Brexit we are threatened with economic chaos."
(CD/LM)
The funding is expected to be split over three years.
However, Ulster Unionist Finance spokesperson, Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, said that local businesses in NI will not benefit from the Chancellor's Budget at all.
He said: "I would congratulate the Chancellor of the Exchequer for being able to produce the Budget, something which Northern Ireland's last Finance Minister Mairtin O Muilleoir hadn't the fiscal knowledge or ability to do.
"Whilst the cap on public sector pay appears to be weakening, and not before time, it remains outrageous that in the absence of local Ministers even the most modest 1% recommendations of local Pay Review Bodies cannot be signed off and implemented here. Not for the first time, Northern Ireland's public sector workers are getting the worst end of the deal.
"The review of the APD and the impact of VAT on tourism is progress, however there should have been real movement on the issue in this year's Budget rather than having to wait until the next. There have already been a plethora of reports and studies produced, so this further delay remains inexplicable and will simply represent another year of lost opportunity.
"The announcement of £650m additional spending for Northern Ireland is of course welcome, especially as the Chancellor's previous Spring Budget set out a major real-terms reduction in 2018/19. Further clarity is urgently needed on it in order for the real impact to be properly assessed.
"I would commend the Chancellor for recognising the need to reduce the burden of business rates, however given the issue is devolved in Northern Ireland - and the last Executive failed to address the issue – local businesses will not benefit from it at all."
SDLP Brexit Spokesperson Claire Hanna MLA said the Budget shows that the reality of Brexit has started to hit home.
"The very fact that the British Government had to set aside £3 billion to ensure that they can prepare for Brexit shows that reality has started to hit home. Contrary to promises to spend an additional £350 million per week on the NHS, this budget allocated more to administrate the Brexit chaos.
"Reports claim that this money will only cover the cost of work carried out by civil servants and will make no dent in the money the UK is likely to pay to the EU.
"With growth being slashed and higher inflation, our economy is continuing to struggle with no real thinking from the British Government on how to recover it. Instead the British Government continue to sleepwalk into Brexit despite the fact that post-Brexit we are threatened with economic chaos."
(CD/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 October 2007
Finances To Be Challenging At Assembly
Stormont Finance Minister Peter Robinson has warned that the chancellor's Pre-Budget report demonstrates slowing public finances and that difficult decisions will have to be made at the Assembly to meet substantial challenges in Ulster's public services.
Finances To Be Challenging At Assembly
Stormont Finance Minister Peter Robinson has warned that the chancellor's Pre-Budget report demonstrates slowing public finances and that difficult decisions will have to be made at the Assembly to meet substantial challenges in Ulster's public services.
30 October 2018
Budget Worth An Additional £320m For NI
The Chancellor has said his budget will mean additional spending of £320million for Northern Ireland government departments in 2021. Phillip Hammond said there would be "larger sums to come" as a result of a forthcoming spending revenue. There was also a £2m one-off payment to help with the impact of the Primark fire in Belfast City Centre.
Budget Worth An Additional £320m For NI
The Chancellor has said his budget will mean additional spending of £320million for Northern Ireland government departments in 2021. Phillip Hammond said there would be "larger sums to come" as a result of a forthcoming spending revenue. There was also a £2m one-off payment to help with the impact of the Primark fire in Belfast City Centre.
08 March 2017
NI To Receive £120m Additional Funding In Budget
Northern Ireland is to receive additional funding of almost £120 million in the Spring Budget. Chancellor Philip Hammond unveiled the details in the House of Commons today, 07 March. There will be an extra £90m through to 2019-20 and the capital budget will get an extra £30m through to 2020/21.
NI To Receive £120m Additional Funding In Budget
Northern Ireland is to receive additional funding of almost £120 million in the Spring Budget. Chancellor Philip Hammond unveiled the details in the House of Commons today, 07 March. There will be an extra £90m through to 2019-20 and the capital budget will get an extra £30m through to 2020/21.
22 March 2012
Chancellor's Budget Receives Mixed Reviews In NI
Northern Ireland has had mixed reactions to Chancellor, George Osborne's, budget which was published yesterday. Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has expressed concern while the SDLP MP Mark Durkan said it was a "slap in the face". Sinn Fein have also said there was "little relief for those on benefits and low pay".
Chancellor's Budget Receives Mixed Reviews In NI
Northern Ireland has had mixed reactions to Chancellor, George Osborne's, budget which was published yesterday. Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has expressed concern while the SDLP MP Mark Durkan said it was a "slap in the face". Sinn Fein have also said there was "little relief for those on benefits and low pay".
18 March 2004
Mixed response to Budget announcements
There were mixed emotions in Northern Ireland today following yesterday's Budget speech by Chancellor Gordon Brown. While many were unsurprised by the rise in tariffs on beer and cigarette, it was the announcement that 40,000 civil service jobs are to go that really knocked many observers for six.
Mixed response to Budget announcements
There were mixed emotions in Northern Ireland today following yesterday's Budget speech by Chancellor Gordon Brown. While many were unsurprised by the rise in tariffs on beer and cigarette, it was the announcement that 40,000 civil service jobs are to go that really knocked many observers for six.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.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.
