Senior Sinn Fein politicians have expressed their satisfaction at the agreement reached today between the North’s political parties and the British government.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said it was particularly important that the region’s politicians were able to protect vulnerable people from what he called the “austerity approach” of the British government.
Speaking to reporters at Stormont, he said: “We’re proud of our achievement, I think it is remarkable that we managed against all odds, when people told us it couldn’t be done to achieve this in the interests of those [vulnerable] people. I think that is something to be proud of.”
The document says legislation will be brought before the North’s Assembly next month to give effect to welfare changes, “alongside further work to develop and implement flexibilities and top-ups from the block grant as part of a package of measures to address local need”.
Some key points in the document:
- The total value of the government package represents additional spending power of almost £2bn
- A final balanced budget by the NI Executive for 2015-16 needs to be agreed in January
- The executive will adopt in January a comprehensive programme of public sector reform and restructuring
- Legislation will be brought before the assembly in January 2015 to give effect to welfare changes alongside further work to develop and implement flexibilities and top-ups from the block grant as part of a package of measures
- Implementation of these welfare changes will begin to take place in the financial year 2015-16 and implementation will be complete by 2016-17
- Legislation will be introduced as soon as parliament returns to enable the devolution of corporation tax in April 2017
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said he would be recommending the document the to his party executive.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the party’s negotiations team would also be recommending the proposals to its Ard Chomairle.
SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said he believed the “deal falls short” and that he was disappointed the document was not as comprehensive as he hoped it would be.
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