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23/03/2007
DUP leader criticises Chancellor's 'stingy' offer
Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley has today criticised Gordon Brown’s offer of an extra £1 billion if devolution is restored, referring to it as “stingy”.
Speaking to the annual conference of the Federation of Small Business, Mr Paisley accused the Chancellor of “sleight of hand”.
The announcement had been made on Thursday, when the four major political parties met with Mr Brown. The money will be combined with another £35 bn pledged by the Government over four years.
He criticised the announcement of the extra £1 bn cash for the incoming Stormont assembly, when £400 million of the money was from the Irish Government.
Mr Paisley said: “Progress has been made in some areas, but I do not believe there is anything in the present proposals of the chancellor which will lead to the step change in the economy that is needed and which will close the gap with the rest of the UK.”
“Additional money for roads or to allow some time for reconsideration of water charges is one thing.
“What is really needed are measures which will allow our economic drag on the rest of the United Kingdom.”
He also told the Federation he did not believe it was in the interest of the Government to interfere with business, and stated a new Northern Ireland executive would create its own conditions for business.
“We need the British Exchequer to start making sacrifices for the people of Northern Ireland,” Mr Paisley concluded.
(JM)
Speaking to the annual conference of the Federation of Small Business, Mr Paisley accused the Chancellor of “sleight of hand”.
The announcement had been made on Thursday, when the four major political parties met with Mr Brown. The money will be combined with another £35 bn pledged by the Government over four years.
He criticised the announcement of the extra £1 bn cash for the incoming Stormont assembly, when £400 million of the money was from the Irish Government.
Mr Paisley said: “Progress has been made in some areas, but I do not believe there is anything in the present proposals of the chancellor which will lead to the step change in the economy that is needed and which will close the gap with the rest of the UK.”
“Additional money for roads or to allow some time for reconsideration of water charges is one thing.
“What is really needed are measures which will allow our economic drag on the rest of the United Kingdom.”
He also told the Federation he did not believe it was in the interest of the Government to interfere with business, and stated a new Northern Ireland executive would create its own conditions for business.
“We need the British Exchequer to start making sacrifices for the people of Northern Ireland,” Mr Paisley concluded.
(JM)
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