Statement

WEIR WELCOMES BUDGET STATEMENT

Posted on: January 13, 2010

"I welcome today's budget statement by Finance Minister Sammy Wilson on spending plans for 2010/11, and also his statement on the December monitoring round. This shows that despite the predictions of doom and gloom merchants we have yet managed to provide a sound and stable way forward on public finances, while protecting the positions of hosueholds throughout Northern Ireland. Yet again claims of black holes in our public finances have proved unfounded, and we will emter 2011 without the burden of debt in our regional finances. There is no doubt that resources are very tight, but departments have been willing to step up to the mark by making further efficiencies, while continuing to ensure that households for the fourth year running are protected from the threat of separate Water Rates. We have shown our pro active commitment to future public finances with teh creation of the Invest to Save Fund.

We are acutely aware of the grave financial strain that many families are suffering in this recession, and as a result the Minister, as well as avoiding Water Rates, we have yet again been able to freeze the Domestic Regional Rate for all households in Northern Ireland. As a result of the action taken by the DUP, the average household is now £1300 better off than they would have been under Direct Rule. Rather than the bluster of negative critics, this is the reality of devolution delivering on a day to day for the people of Northern Ireland."