Menu
09/03/2011
UUP/SDLP To Defy Stormont Budget
The leader of the mainly nationalist SDLP, Margaret Ritchie has revealed that the SDLP will attempt to amend the final Stormont Finance Bill before it passes the Assembly today.
Both the SDLP and the Ulster Unionists (UUP) - whose ministers voted against the plan at an Executive meeting in Stormont Castle last week - are expected to seek last minute changes.
UUP Leader Tom Elliot has given a strong indication that his ministers will vote against the budget if they don't receive dispensations.
Specifically, the UUP has tabled an amendment calling for £165m extra to be allocated to the health service in the first year of the new budget even though the DUP Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, offered the Health Minister an additional £120m over four years.
As the two main parties, the unionist DUP and the republicans, Sinn Fein, are expected to oppose both amendments, the UUP and the SDLP will most likely vote against the budget provoking a crisis in the Stormont Executive.
The Alliance Party has signaled it's support, but with misgivings, while, at the weekend, Ulster Unionist Minister Danny Kennedy refused to rule out the possibility that he and his party colleague, Michael McGimpsey, might resign from the Executive over the budget.
Margaret Ritchie is bidding to raise more money to create jobs, protect frontline services and to boost the economy as the budget is put to a formal vote after weeks of heated exchanges between politicians regarding its contents.
The debate is expected to last for most of the day after Margaret Ritchie has described the budget as "failing the people".
She said: "The SDLP has consistently said this budget is not fit for purpose.
"We have used all means possible in the Executive and Assembly to improve what is on the table. We are now trying to amend the final bill," she said.
"As it stands this DUP/Sinn Fein/Alliance budget if passed in its current form would mean more than 9,000 public service job losses, a pay freeze for almost 7,400 civil servants earning less than the average industrial wage and the potential introduction of a hike student fees.
"Like thousands of others the SDLP believe this budget contains no plans for job creation, is lacking in a vision for economic recovery and is not based on any programme for government.
"Our amendment will ask the Finance Minister to revise his current proposals to raise additional revenue
"The SDLP believe that these amendments are necessary to provide greater support for the school building and maintenance programmes and to guarantee that any public sector redundancies will not be compulsory.
"It is quite clear that if these changes are not made then the SDLP will not be able to support a budget that will let down and hurt the people of Northern Ireland," she said.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist Mike Nesbitt has also highlighted what he claimed is the failure of Finance Minister Sammy Wilson "to properly fund Invest NI as final proof that the last four years of devolved government at Stormont is a story of shambles, spin and lack of delivery".
"The Ulster Unionist party are committed to getting Stormont working for everyone, and that means getting the country open for business again as soon as possible," he commented today.
(BMcC/GK)
Both the SDLP and the Ulster Unionists (UUP) - whose ministers voted against the plan at an Executive meeting in Stormont Castle last week - are expected to seek last minute changes.
UUP Leader Tom Elliot has given a strong indication that his ministers will vote against the budget if they don't receive dispensations.
Specifically, the UUP has tabled an amendment calling for £165m extra to be allocated to the health service in the first year of the new budget even though the DUP Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, offered the Health Minister an additional £120m over four years.
As the two main parties, the unionist DUP and the republicans, Sinn Fein, are expected to oppose both amendments, the UUP and the SDLP will most likely vote against the budget provoking a crisis in the Stormont Executive.
The Alliance Party has signaled it's support, but with misgivings, while, at the weekend, Ulster Unionist Minister Danny Kennedy refused to rule out the possibility that he and his party colleague, Michael McGimpsey, might resign from the Executive over the budget.
Margaret Ritchie is bidding to raise more money to create jobs, protect frontline services and to boost the economy as the budget is put to a formal vote after weeks of heated exchanges between politicians regarding its contents.
The debate is expected to last for most of the day after Margaret Ritchie has described the budget as "failing the people".
She said: "The SDLP has consistently said this budget is not fit for purpose.
"We have used all means possible in the Executive and Assembly to improve what is on the table. We are now trying to amend the final bill," she said.
"As it stands this DUP/Sinn Fein/Alliance budget if passed in its current form would mean more than 9,000 public service job losses, a pay freeze for almost 7,400 civil servants earning less than the average industrial wage and the potential introduction of a hike student fees.
"Like thousands of others the SDLP believe this budget contains no plans for job creation, is lacking in a vision for economic recovery and is not based on any programme for government.
"Our amendment will ask the Finance Minister to revise his current proposals to raise additional revenue
"The SDLP believe that these amendments are necessary to provide greater support for the school building and maintenance programmes and to guarantee that any public sector redundancies will not be compulsory.
"It is quite clear that if these changes are not made then the SDLP will not be able to support a budget that will let down and hurt the people of Northern Ireland," she said.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist Mike Nesbitt has also highlighted what he claimed is the failure of Finance Minister Sammy Wilson "to properly fund Invest NI as final proof that the last four years of devolved government at Stormont is a story of shambles, spin and lack of delivery".
"The Ulster Unionist party are committed to getting Stormont working for everyone, and that means getting the country open for business again as soon as possible," he commented today.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 March 2011
Anger As NI Budget Voted Through
The Executive budget has been passed by the Assembly at Stormont - but only by 67 votes to 31 after amendments proposed by the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP were defeated and seven hours of debate on Wednesday.
Anger As NI Budget Voted Through
The Executive budget has been passed by the Assembly at Stormont - but only by 67 votes to 31 after amendments proposed by the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP were defeated and seven hours of debate on Wednesday.
04 March 2011
Budget Spending Close To Agreement
There have been both winners and losers as a 'final' budget package is presented to a special session of the Stormont Assembly today. The package has also had both backers who favour the harsh economic measures and those who have opposed it - and even voted against the deal.
Budget Spending Close To Agreement
There have been both winners and losers as a 'final' budget package is presented to a special session of the Stormont Assembly today. The package has also had both backers who favour the harsh economic measures and those who have opposed it - and even voted against the deal.
28 September 2010
Wilson Sounds Stormont Budget Warning
Ahead of new month's UK Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) - that could mean a cut of up to £2bn in the NI budget - it has emerged that an alleged failure by some Stormont ministers to cooperate with the Finance Minister's plans may delay the publication of his own draft budget.
Wilson Sounds Stormont Budget Warning
Ahead of new month's UK Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) - that could mean a cut of up to £2bn in the NI budget - it has emerged that an alleged failure by some Stormont ministers to cooperate with the Finance Minister's plans may delay the publication of his own draft budget.
16 September 2009
Burns Calls For Housing Funding
All parties at Stormont should unite to ensure housing is a priority, an SDLP MLA has said. Thomas Burns called on all Assembly members to put pressure on Finance Minister Sammy Wilson to release more funds.
Burns Calls For Housing Funding
All parties at Stormont should unite to ensure housing is a priority, an SDLP MLA has said. Thomas Burns called on all Assembly members to put pressure on Finance Minister Sammy Wilson to release more funds.
17 April 2009
Executive Finance Plan Needs Pre-Budget Fillip Says MLAs
Local politicians are warning that next week's UK Budget will have a severe impact on finance for the Stormont devolved administration. Ahead of Chancellor Alistair Darling traditional statement, Ulster Unionists (UU) are to step up pressure for a fresh look at the NI Executive's own three-year budget arrangements.
Executive Finance Plan Needs Pre-Budget Fillip Says MLAs
Local politicians are warning that next week's UK Budget will have a severe impact on finance for the Stormont devolved administration. Ahead of Chancellor Alistair Darling traditional statement, Ulster Unionists (UU) are to step up pressure for a fresh look at the NI Executive's own three-year budget arrangements.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
