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.

The SDLP has also said MLAs must reassert their authority and insist on new budget priorities.

Their comments come as UU Finance Committee Member David McNarry warned predictions of an austere budget next Wednesday could mean new efficiency targets and yet more "tinkering with Northern Ireland's block grant and reductions in public spending".

Addressing his remarks for the benefit of NI Executive Finance Minister Nigel Dodds, Mr McNarry said there would be "little room to manoeuvre if he (Dodds) sticks stubbornly to his own outdated financial plans".

"Come budget day our own Finance Minister will, in my opinion, have no choice other than to break with his financial programme with immediate effect.

"He needs to re-write, re-order and re-prioritise the manner in which Northern Ireland's financial affairs are to be managed in the future," the Strangford MLA added.

SDLP Deputy Leader Alasdair McDonnell said the budget put together last year by Sinn Féin and the DUP has now lost any last shred of credibility.

The Assembly "must revisit it without delay", he agreed.

His own party recently set out a potential £400m in savings, he insisted: "The projections were never realistic to the extent that they were expected to hold for three years.

"There is a very good reason why governments and businesses around the world set budgets once a year - because things change.

"At a time when families are being forced to change their budget priorities it is irresponsible of the parties which control the Executive not to do the same," he said.

Adding to financial pressures, it has also been revealed that petrol prices in Northern Ireland are currently the most expensive in the UK.

According to the AA, the price of petrol on Ulster's forecourts now averages 96.4p.

Petrol costs at the pumps have soared in recent weeks due to a Government fuel duty increase and a rise in the price of oil worldwide.

AA President Edmund King said: "It is not clear whether it is the stock markets or the oil industry trying to pump up the value of oil.

"However, with laden tankers moored off-shore as temporary storage indicating major stock surpluses, there is growing concern that the fundamentals of supply and demand are not being reflected in prices.

"This means motorists will cut back on other spending in leisure and the high street, undermining economic recovery," he concluded.

Mr King also expressed his hopes of good news for motorists in next week's annual Budget.

(BMcC/JM)