Menu
24/04/2024
'Decision Week' For Executive To Agree 2024/25 Budget – UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party has said it is "decision week" for the Executive to agree a new 2024/25 Budget.
Party leader and Upper Bann MLA, Doug Beattie, reiterated his warnings of the damage being inflicted to key services the longer the void in this year's Budget continues.
Mr Beattie said: "The real test of any Government, especially a multi-Party one, is its ability to prepare and agree a budget. Unfortunately, three weeks into a new financial year, there is still as much financial uncertainty now as there was a number of months ago.
"I do not for one moment underestimate the scale of the challenge currently facing the Minister of Finance. Whilst I suspect that she and her officials are working hard to try to find a balanced outcome, ultimately the decision has now moved to the political sphere.
"All Executive Departments have had the opportunity to provide input - now the difficult discussions and decisions must move to the Executive table. I had hoped that a paper could have been discussed last week, but that didn't happen.
"Any further delay this week would be hugely destabilising. We simply cannot afford a prolonged period of uncertainty or political brinkmanship. Many Executive Departments are effectively running on a bare minimum approach, unable to take critical decisions on what services are either possible or even affordable for this remainder of the year.
"The Ulster Unionist Party is going into the process with our eyes wide open. We understand, as we always have, that there's simply not enough money available to make every investment that every Department wishes.
"Yet equally, we know there is some money, and we need to see that allocated urgently in order to just try to maintain some really important core services.
"The health of our population runs much deeper than a political interest – prior to the most recent restoration of the Executive, all Parties agreed that stabilising our health service and tackling huge issues such as our waiting lists were to be considered the priority.
"I sincerely hope in the days ahead that we see progress. Every day that doesn't, the more damage is being inflicted."
Party leader and Upper Bann MLA, Doug Beattie, reiterated his warnings of the damage being inflicted to key services the longer the void in this year's Budget continues.
Mr Beattie said: "The real test of any Government, especially a multi-Party one, is its ability to prepare and agree a budget. Unfortunately, three weeks into a new financial year, there is still as much financial uncertainty now as there was a number of months ago.
"I do not for one moment underestimate the scale of the challenge currently facing the Minister of Finance. Whilst I suspect that she and her officials are working hard to try to find a balanced outcome, ultimately the decision has now moved to the political sphere.
"All Executive Departments have had the opportunity to provide input - now the difficult discussions and decisions must move to the Executive table. I had hoped that a paper could have been discussed last week, but that didn't happen.
"Any further delay this week would be hugely destabilising. We simply cannot afford a prolonged period of uncertainty or political brinkmanship. Many Executive Departments are effectively running on a bare minimum approach, unable to take critical decisions on what services are either possible or even affordable for this remainder of the year.
"The Ulster Unionist Party is going into the process with our eyes wide open. We understand, as we always have, that there's simply not enough money available to make every investment that every Department wishes.
"Yet equally, we know there is some money, and we need to see that allocated urgently in order to just try to maintain some really important core services.
"The health of our population runs much deeper than a political interest – prior to the most recent restoration of the Executive, all Parties agreed that stabilising our health service and tackling huge issues such as our waiting lists were to be considered the priority.
"I sincerely hope in the days ahead that we see progress. Every day that doesn't, the more damage is being inflicted."
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 October 2008
Tax Hit On 'Budget Airline' At Shannon May Boost NI
The Irish Government's controversial airport tax has led budget airline, Ryanair, to cut its passenger numbers through Shannon Airport from two million to a mere 750,000 - and to rekindle interest in expanding services at Northern Ireland airports.
Tax Hit On 'Budget Airline' At Shannon May Boost NI
The Irish Government's controversial airport tax has led budget airline, Ryanair, to cut its passenger numbers through Shannon Airport from two million to a mere 750,000 - and to rekindle interest in expanding services at Northern Ireland airports.
07 December 2011
Stamp Duty Fall Welcomed By Dublin Chamber
The Dublin Chamber has hailed the Budget's reduction in commercial stamp duty, together with other measures to promote stability and demand, as a much-needed stimulus to the moribund commercial property market in Dublin.
Stamp Duty Fall Welcomed By Dublin Chamber
The Dublin Chamber has hailed the Budget's reduction in commercial stamp duty, together with other measures to promote stability and demand, as a much-needed stimulus to the moribund commercial property market in Dublin.
12 April 2011
Union Chief Defends Bulk Payments
Plans for public servants to receive lump sum compensation for loss of earnings if work practices change are being defended by the Public Service Executive Union. The move could see the government face mounting cost for changes brought in under the terms of the Croke Park Agreement.
Union Chief Defends Bulk Payments
Plans for public servants to receive lump sum compensation for loss of earnings if work practices change are being defended by the Public Service Executive Union. The move could see the government face mounting cost for changes brought in under the terms of the Croke Park Agreement.
09 March 2009
April Budget Could See Tax Levy Hike
Brian Lenihan is considering immediate increases in the controversial income levy as part of next month's emergency budget. Following the discovery of a €2billion shortfall in the Government's balance for the year, a raft of measures are expected to be introduced to fill in the financial hole.
April Budget Could See Tax Levy Hike
Brian Lenihan is considering immediate increases in the controversial income levy as part of next month's emergency budget. Following the discovery of a €2billion shortfall in the Government's balance for the year, a raft of measures are expected to be introduced to fill in the financial hole.
04 March 2011
North's Budget Spend 'Agreed'
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.
North's Budget Spend 'Agreed'
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.
-
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.
