Menu
25/04/2024
Executive Must Use Budget To 'Front Up On Billion Pound Promises'
The four Executive parties must use their budget to "front up on billion pound promises made in Assembly motions", SDLP Opposition Leader, Matthew O'Toole, has said.
Mr O'Toole highlighted how the parties have collectively made promises totalling well over a billion pounds in a succession of private members motions in the Northern Ireland Assembly - despite the absence of a Budget or Programme for Government.
The costings come in new numbers from the SDLP Opposition based on publicly available estimates of the costs of the policies, given by either Executive ministers or third parties.
A selection of the promises made in motions from Executive parties totals roughly £1.5 billion and includes pledges from the governing parts on childcare, waiting lists, support the fishing industry and other priorities.
The SDLP Opposition has called on the Executive to either set out their costed plan to deliver on the promises they have made since the return of devolution or to explain to them why empty promises were made.
Mr O’Toole said: "The Executive is widely expected to agree a draft budget this afternoon setting out their priority areas of spending in, what we understand to be, a challenging financial environment. We would expect that the Finance Minister and her colleagues will, at a minimum, set out their costed plans to deliver on the promises they have made to the public over the last 12 weeks since the restoration of devolution.
"The SDLP Opposition estimates that these promises total over £1.5 billion in spending commitments and people, whose hopes have been raised by a series of indicative Assembly votes which Executive parties have celebrated and issued glowing statements about, deserve to know whether and when they will be delivered.
"As a constructive opposition we have always said the Executive would have to be honest with people about priorities. So they should be honest about what will happen to the billions of pounds of promises they have already made. It is time for the Executive to put their money where their mouths have been."
Mr O'Toole highlighted how the parties have collectively made promises totalling well over a billion pounds in a succession of private members motions in the Northern Ireland Assembly - despite the absence of a Budget or Programme for Government.
The costings come in new numbers from the SDLP Opposition based on publicly available estimates of the costs of the policies, given by either Executive ministers or third parties.
A selection of the promises made in motions from Executive parties totals roughly £1.5 billion and includes pledges from the governing parts on childcare, waiting lists, support the fishing industry and other priorities.
The SDLP Opposition has called on the Executive to either set out their costed plan to deliver on the promises they have made since the return of devolution or to explain to them why empty promises were made.
Mr O’Toole said: "The Executive is widely expected to agree a draft budget this afternoon setting out their priority areas of spending in, what we understand to be, a challenging financial environment. We would expect that the Finance Minister and her colleagues will, at a minimum, set out their costed plans to deliver on the promises they have made to the public over the last 12 weeks since the restoration of devolution.
"The SDLP Opposition estimates that these promises total over £1.5 billion in spending commitments and people, whose hopes have been raised by a series of indicative Assembly votes which Executive parties have celebrated and issued glowing statements about, deserve to know whether and when they will be delivered.
"As a constructive opposition we have always said the Executive would have to be honest with people about priorities. So they should be honest about what will happen to the billions of pounds of promises they have already made. It is time for the Executive to put their money where their mouths have been."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 May 2018
Housing Executive Urged To Clarify Tower Block Proposals
Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Carál Ní Chuilín has written to the Chief Executive of the Housing Executive Board seeking clarity on their plans for Tower Blocks in north Belfast. The North Belfast MLA said: "There are 33 Tower blocks across the north, seven of which are in the New Lodge area of North Belfast.
Housing Executive Urged To Clarify Tower Block Proposals
Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Carál Ní Chuilín has written to the Chief Executive of the Housing Executive Board seeking clarity on their plans for Tower Blocks in north Belfast. The North Belfast MLA said: "There are 33 Tower blocks across the north, seven of which are in the New Lodge area of North Belfast.
30 November 2023
New Executive Must Prioritise Fuel Poverty Strategy – SDLP
Any new Executive must prioritise an updated fuel poverty strategy, SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty has said as he marked Fuel Poverty Awareness Day.
New Executive Must Prioritise Fuel Poverty Strategy – SDLP
Any new Executive must prioritise an updated fuel poverty strategy, SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty has said as he marked Fuel Poverty Awareness Day.
30 October 2024
NI Executive To Receive £1.5 Billion From Budget
The Northern Ireland Executive will receive £1.5 billion for 2025-26, said Chancellor Rachel Reeves today at the announcement of the UK Budget. Day to day spending will account for £1.2 billion of this, while £270 million will be used for capital investment.
NI Executive To Receive £1.5 Billion From Budget
The Northern Ireland Executive will receive £1.5 billion for 2025-26, said Chancellor Rachel Reeves today at the announcement of the UK Budget. Day to day spending will account for £1.2 billion of this, while £270 million will be used for capital investment.
14 May 2024
Executive Urged To Publish Programme For Govt
The SDLP has called on the Executive to publish a Programme for Government, after the Assembly backed an Opposition Day motion calling for publication before the summer recess. SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA said that the public were concerned by the lack of delivery or plan since the Assembly's return.
Executive Urged To Publish Programme For Govt
The SDLP has called on the Executive to publish a Programme for Government, after the Assembly backed an Opposition Day motion calling for publication before the summer recess. SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA said that the public were concerned by the lack of delivery or plan since the Assembly's return.
17 December 2014
Calls For Stormont Opposition Unveiled
A government paper given to the Northern Ireland Assembly last week, reveals that a Stormont opposition could be in place by March of next year. According to a report by the BBC, the paper calls for official recognition of opposition parties, who would be "entitled to ministerial positions in the executive, but choose not to take them up".
Calls For Stormont Opposition Unveiled
A government paper given to the Northern Ireland Assembly last week, reveals that a Stormont opposition could be in place by March of next year. According to a report by the BBC, the paper calls for official recognition of opposition parties, who would be "entitled to ministerial positions in the executive, but choose not to take them up".
-
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.
