SDLP leader Colum Eastwood says the Chancellor’s Spending Review has highlighted the ineffectiveness of Sinn Fein and the DUP’s combined negotiating skills.
And the Foyle MLA says it has plunged into jeopardy millions of pounds of mitigation for the most vulnerable in society.
“While I note the very public pressure the SDLP put on George Osborne in Westminster and privately with the Secretary of State, combined with that of other progressive parties, has resulted in this decision to not now bring in tax credit cuts, the Spending Review leaves me further alarmed about last week’s deal between Sinn Fein and the DUP.
“’A Fresh Start’ was oversold by those who served it up. Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson thought they got a great deal when they had a private meeting with David Cameron in Westminster but they gave him everything and he gave them nothing back.
“They handed over welfare powers to the Tories and to counter it set up a fund to mitigate against tax credit cuts.
“David Cameron knew at that meeting his Chancellor would bow to public pressure but didn’t share the news. As a result we don’t know what will happen to the £240m that should have been used for welfare mitigation.
“In addition George Osborne warns he will still pursue his full £12bn in welfare savings so although tax credits are not being hit, the cuts will come from something else.
“Martin McGuinness agreed to a rush deal that suited Peter Robinson’s exit plans, and got nothing in return. The frailty of their combined negotiating skills has once again been brought to the fore.”
