SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that tomorrow’s Westminster budget must deliver on the commitments made by the British Government in the New Decade, New Approach document.
The Foyle MP also said that there must be a significant budgetary intervention to level up coronavirus preparation and shield businesses from the impact of a significant outbreak.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will deliver his first budget in the House of Commons on Wednesday, March 11.
Speaking from Westminster, the Foyle MP: “The British and Irish Governments entered into significant commitments in the New Decade, New Approach document.
“It was the basis under which devolution was restored and the basis on which the SDLP made the decision to enter government again.
“Those commitments must now be resourced.
“Boris Johnson has also made significant commitments on ‘turbocharging’ infrastructure.
“I have written to the Chancellor about Barnett consequential flowing from the HS2 projected spend.
“Let me be clear, however, infrastructure is a devolved matter.
“We will not accept any attempt by this government to violate that principle and overreach into the devolved space to deliver an unwanted tunnel when that resource could be spent on connecting our communities, address the climate crisis and delivering new opportunities in Northern Ireland.
“I have also called on the Chancellor to introduce a temporary reduction in tourism VAT to support the hospitality sector from the impact of a coronavirus outbreak.
“We need to level up our response and ensure that we don’t reach the situation that the Italian government is at,” added the SDLP leader.
