Menu
25/11/2022
NI Budget Consequence Of Political Failure – SDLP
A budget position forcing cuts on the Department of Education is a direct consequence of political failure and financial mismanagement, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said.
The Foyle MP said that Chris Heaton Harris should never have been given the power to set a local budget and repeated his call on parties to take up the responsibility to form an Executive and govern in the interests of people across Northern Ireland.
Speaking after the Secretary of State published Departmental allocations today, Colum Eastwood MP said: "A disastrous mix of fiscal incompetence and political recklessness has delivered us a Tory budget that will lead to stark cuts to education and other areas of public spending. It is a signal of the scale of the political failure that has been visited on people here that despite not having a single elected representative in Northern Ireland, Tory ideology will now direct virtually every aspect of public spending.
"The DUP has handed Chris Heaton Harris the power to make these decisions. And the spending decisions of other Ministers have given him the cover to make cuts to critical areas of public spending. It is grossly unfair that funding for our schools and the education of our children is now on the chopping block.
"The transparent threat to introduce new revenue raising measures in the absence of agreement to form an Executive will lead to further hardship for ordinary people who are already being hit again and again with food, fuel and energy bills that are smothering family finances.
"Further pain is not inevitable, power that should never been given to him can be removed from the Secretary of State. But it requires the DUP to acknowledge that the consequences of their protest are now inflicting unsustainable pressure on ordinary people, and on the education of our children. People across Northern Ireland can no longer afford to pay the price for this political selfishness."
The Foyle MP said that Chris Heaton Harris should never have been given the power to set a local budget and repeated his call on parties to take up the responsibility to form an Executive and govern in the interests of people across Northern Ireland.
Speaking after the Secretary of State published Departmental allocations today, Colum Eastwood MP said: "A disastrous mix of fiscal incompetence and political recklessness has delivered us a Tory budget that will lead to stark cuts to education and other areas of public spending. It is a signal of the scale of the political failure that has been visited on people here that despite not having a single elected representative in Northern Ireland, Tory ideology will now direct virtually every aspect of public spending.
"The DUP has handed Chris Heaton Harris the power to make these decisions. And the spending decisions of other Ministers have given him the cover to make cuts to critical areas of public spending. It is grossly unfair that funding for our schools and the education of our children is now on the chopping block.
"The transparent threat to introduce new revenue raising measures in the absence of agreement to form an Executive will lead to further hardship for ordinary people who are already being hit again and again with food, fuel and energy bills that are smothering family finances.
"Further pain is not inevitable, power that should never been given to him can be removed from the Secretary of State. But it requires the DUP to acknowledge that the consequences of their protest are now inflicting unsustainable pressure on ordinary people, and on the education of our children. People across Northern Ireland can no longer afford to pay the price for this political selfishness."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
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.
31 March 2015
New Education Authority To Replace NI's Five Education And Library Boards
The new Education Authority will replace Northern Ireland's five education and library boards on Wednesday 1 April. The new Authority replaces the existing five Education and Library Boards and their Staff Commission. The new organisation will have a £1.
New Education Authority To Replace NI's Five Education And Library Boards
The new Education Authority will replace Northern Ireland's five education and library boards on Wednesday 1 April. The new Authority replaces the existing five Education and Library Boards and their Staff Commission. The new organisation will have a £1.
05 July 2017
SDLP Supports Calls For Stormont Pay Freeze During Talks Delay
The endless delay in Stormont talks is not down to detail, but "narrow party political interest", according to SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood. Mr Eastwood described the latest "pause" announced in Executive talks as "depressing" but said that no-one will be surprised by it, least of all the public.
SDLP Supports Calls For Stormont Pay Freeze During Talks Delay
The endless delay in Stormont talks is not down to detail, but "narrow party political interest", according to SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood. Mr Eastwood described the latest "pause" announced in Executive talks as "depressing" but said that no-one will be surprised by it, least of all the public.
08 August 2024
Local Firm Wins Contract For Strule Shared Education Campus
NI construction partnership, Woodvale Lowry Joint Venture Ltd, have been awarded the £375 million contract for the Strule Shared Education Campus, the Department of Education has announced.
Local Firm Wins Contract For Strule Shared Education Campus
NI construction partnership, Woodvale Lowry Joint Venture Ltd, have been awarded the £375 million contract for the Strule Shared Education Campus, the Department of Education has announced.
-
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.
