SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has said the Executive are attempting to hoodwink the public by introducing an inflation-busting rates rise without a plan for public service.
Executive parties backed an increase of 5.0% for domestic properties and an increase of 3.0% for non-domestic properties.
South Belfast MLA Matthew O’Toole said:
“The SDLP believes in making trade offs and tough decisions in order to deliver good services for the public, but this inflation-busting rates increase brought forward by the Finance Minister today is in the absence of any credible plan for public services let alone the long promised multi-year budget.
“There has been no real attempt to justify such an increase or demonstrate to the public what this money will be used for. The Executive faces a massive overspend in the years ahead and instead of addressing these concerns they spend more time theatrically falling out with each other to deflect from their own failure to deliver.
“At the same they are pushing through this increase we are seeing energy costs surging exponentially. We have had zero plan from the Executive on how they will support families struggling with the cost of living and we even see the DUP cheerleading the breach of international law that has led to this spike in oil prices.
“People across Northern Ireland deserve honesty about the challenges facing our public finances and a credible plan to improve services. Instead they are being asked to pay more while the Executive continues to drift without leadership or direction.”
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 