Wilson Supported Over NICVA Budget Report

As the Stormont Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson said he would only look at raising taxes when the "recession is over" a DUP party colleague has been backing the Minister's stance.

The Strangford MLA and Finance Committee Member Simon Hamilton also added his welcome for the publication of a critical overview of the Executive's recent Draft Budget.

The report - for the charity, NICVA - was complied by Price Waterhouse Coopers and Mr Hamilton said that the call for "unity of purpose" within the NI Executive highlighted that some Ministers have been simply fighting to protect their own interests.

Sammy Wilson also responded to the report's criticism that said he 'did not exhaust all possible sources of additional revenue' in the Executive's budget - with taking possible extra taxation overlooked.

"We have to take into consideration the fact that we are currently in the middle of recession," Mr Wilson responded.

He said tax raises would have to be looked at "in the right context".

"Some of the revenue schemes would mean dipping further into people's pockets," he added.

"I don't believe this is the appropriate time to do it. As we come out of the recession and as things improve economically, there may be new opportunities for revenue streams there for local taxes or whatever and we've got to look at those," the Minister said.

The criticism from NICVA - which is an umbrella group for NI's voluntary sector - noted that the budget is aimed at saving £4bn over the next four years, with cuts planned across all NI departments.

As Mr Wilson yesterday told the Assembly Finance Committee where he hoped to secure additional revenue, Mr Hamilton added that such independent scrutiny of any document is always welcome as "it can help introduce new ideas and assist Government to achieve the very best outcome".

"However," Mr Hamilton said: "Criticisms that the draft budget is 'too fragmented' and 'unimaginative' do not represent the entire picture and may be explained by other aspects of the report pointing out that some Government Departments were either 'unwilling or unable to show how they will balance the books'."

He also said that NICVA played a very constructive role in pointing out imperfections where they exist, and said they have also clearly identified where these problems have stemmed from.

"The Executive is working within the constraints placed upon it by the cuts imposed from Westminster and NICVA has clearly recognised where people's frustrations should be directed.

"I would echo the call by NICVA for 'unity of purpose' within the Executive as it is clear there have been some Ministers who have not been working to secure the best overall outcome for the people of Northern Ireland.

"Instead battles have either been fought to protect their own interests or, simply to wage a war against the Finance Minister," the Strangford MLA claimed.

"Finalising a budget is a difficult process in any Government and that is more difficult in a coalition.

"To do so in a deep recession and with some Ministers not seeking to play anything other than a destructive role truly shows what a considerable achievement this budget actually was.

"This reality has been reflected in the document and whilst there are criticisms levelled at the Executive as a whole it must be remembered that the Executive is made up of Ministers from five different parties."

Supporting the Finance Minister's stance - and criticising other Executive Ministers for protecting their own interests - Mr Hamilton concluded: "Ministers from each of the parties have a role to play, and criticisms levelled at them in a Departmental capacity also have a negative impact on the whole Executive."

Westminster

Meanwhile, following a statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Westminster regarding lending and bank regulation, Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long MP has asked the Chancellor to make sure that specific measures are in place to ensure that Northern Ireland businesses and individuals feel the benefit of the changes.

The East Belfast MP said: "Northern Ireland has been hit hard by both the UK's and Ireland's banking crises in recent times and I want to ensure that the Treasury are sensitive to those challenges and to the restricted banking market in Northern Ireland.

"The Chancellor announced that the four main UK banks have agreed to make an additional £1bn available for the Business Growth Fund and to increase lending by £10bn to small and medium sized businesses this year. I want to ensure that local businesses have access to that money so that they can grow and help drive economic recovery," she said.

(BMcC/GK)