- Politics cannot keep drifting
- Devolution cannot be taken for granted
Ulster Unionist Finance spokesperson, Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:
“While this indicative budget goes some way towards providing clarity, it does not solve the crisis in our public services which deepens every day.
“We simply cannot keep just drifting along. What sort of message does it send to those on hospital waiting lists or victims of historical institutional abuse that it could now be the tail-end of the year before there are Ministers in place making strategic decisions?
“The indicative budget also doesn’t take into account the extra finance outlined in the DUP/Conservative deal. People will rightly be questioning when they can expect to feel the benefits of this money.
“Devolved institutions, with local politicians making decisions on behalf of local people is still the best option for Northern Ireland. However, we cannot take devolution for granted. There are clear warnings in this statement today if there is not an Executive in place by the Autumn.”