Ulster Unionist Finance spokesperson, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, has said that the budgetary outlook published today by the Department of Finance makes clear how the failure to form an Executive is placing ever increasing pressure on public services.
Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:
“This budgetary outlook demonstrates how Sinn Fein and the DUP singularly failed to take the decisions needed for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland in their previous terms in the Executive.
“Last year’s Budget wasn’t presented and didn’t face the scrutiny of the Assembly or Committees. The Secretary of State had to move to bring forward a budget and without an Executive in place to change policy, we continue with the same spending patterns.
“When you look at the three scenarios outlined in the document and the implication for resource spend, the future is startlingly bleak.
“It is quite clear that the failure to form an Executive is placing ever increasing pressure on our public services. It seems that Sinn Fein are totally abdicating their responsibilities in refusing to allow the formation of an Executive and in not taking the basic decisions of government.
“If Sinn Fein continue in their attempts to frustrate political progress then the Secretary of State should step in and put in place a mechanism that allows a coalition of the willing to get on with the job.”