Stormont Budget Deal Stalled

Sinn Fein and DUP politicians are still at loggerheads over an agreed Assembly budget.

DUP leader and First Minister Peter Robinson and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness (pictured) have each sent out contradictory messages on the timing of a finance deal and Mr McGuinness's fellow republicans have now criticised DUP Finance Minister Sammy Wilson for his insistence that a deal is long overdue.

However, cross-party talks on agreeing a budget are being held behind the scenes at Stormont after the £4 billion cuts ordered by Chancellor George Osborne, but, there's little sign of a deal.

The latest news is that both Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness will fly to Brussels this afternoon for meetings with the European Union and will not return to Northern Ireland until Friday.

Therefore fresh talks aimed at ending the delay in agreeing Northern Ireland's budget and so end the deadlock over setting a budget are unlikely before the weekend.

Mr Robinson has already said that a budget must be agreed by next Wednesday if it is to pass through the statutory Assembly scrutiny and weeks of public consultation, but Sinn Fein ministers have stalled the process, opposing any budget cuts.

Sammy Wilson, who has taken a tougher line on the budget than his party leader, said he was "optimistic" that a deal could be struck, but warned that this week is the "last opportunity" to avert financial chaos next year.

He said that 90% of the money in the Stormont budget was allocated by the Treasury using the Barnett Formula, meaning that those who argue they will attempt to negotiate a better deal have "a total misunderstanding of the way in which the process works".

Meanwhile, an Executive meeting has been scheduled for next Thursday - just as the Assembly breaks up for the Christmas recess.

Meanwhile, the SDLP is today to propose a pay freeze for all public sector workers earning more than £31,500.

The policy is one of a number contained within the party's budget plan, which is being launched on Wednesday.

The party says its proposals would generate billions for the Executive through savings and revenue.

The SDLP's "Partnership and Economic Recovery" paper runs to 60 pages, with one of the key proposals concentrating on public sector reform.

As well as a pay freeze for workers earning more than £31,500, it suggests cuts in salaries over £80,000.

(BMcC/GK)