12 Mar 2008
Robinson welcomes £21million for Northern Ireland
The Finance Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson MP, MLA has welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement of £21 million additional funding for the Province.
Responding to Alistair Darling’s first Budget Report to Parliament, Mr Robinson said this afternoon:
“It has been clear for some time that the outlook for UK public finances over the coming years is weaker than it has been since the Government came to power.
“Coupled with the announcement of the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review last October, this years Budget was not expected to include significant measures with respect to taxation or public spending.
“However, it does provide £21million of additional funding for the Northern Ireland Executive over the next three years and reflecting the restoration of devolution, it will be for the Executive to allocate this additional funding to Northern Ireland departments in line with local needs and priorities.”
The Minister welcomed other measures in the Budget especially those targeted at young families, but expressed regret that more had not been done for older people:
“The Chancellor has set out a number of measures concerning Child Benefit and the Child Tax Credit which will be of benefit to large numbers of hard pressed households in Northern Ireland.
“While the measures for business and charities are also welcome, it is disappointing that the one-off benefits to the elderly, on top of the normal Winter Fuel Payments, are for 2008-09 only and I would urge the Chancellor to consider extending these payments for future years.
“The decision to delay the increase on fuel duty is welcome in light of the 20% increase in fuel costs over the past 12 months. However, I believe the Government needs to adopt a more strategic approach in terms of using fiscal measures to encourage greater energy efficiency”
Mr Robinson also acknowledged the Chancellor’s reference to the Second Varney Review:
“I note the reference in the Budget document to the ongoing work by Sir David Varney. I look forward to the outcome of the review, which will hopefully be more positive than his first review, ahead of the US Investment Conference in May.”
Summing up the Budget, the Minister added that the focus for the Executive must now be on effective spending by Departments:
“The wider fiscal position set out in the Budget Report highlights the continuing importance of Northern Ireland Departments spending the resources we do have more efficiently and effectively to ensure that improved services are delivered for the people of Northern Ireland.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Details of the Government’s Budget Report are available on the HM Treasury website: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk
