Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has expressed concerns about revenue-raising measures that could put pressure on struggling families in Northern Ireland. While £580bn of funding will be used to settle public-sector pay claims, over £1bn has been allocated for the “stabilisation” of public services. However, the funding package comes with the condition that the Northern Ireland Executive will commit to additional revenue-raising measures.
During an interview with BBC’s Sunday Politics, Little-Pengelly said Northern Ireland had a “huge number of really pressed families, really squeezed families in terms of their income” and that many of these families were already facing financial pressure. The deputy first minister also called for additional support for struggling families.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has opposed increasing tuition fees for Northern Ireland university students. The department is currently required to make savings of around £130m in 2023-24. However, Murphy believes that increasing tuition fees by approximately £2400 would make university unaffordable for many students. He also stated that more young people should be given the opportunity to receive a university education.
Last week, First Minister Michelle O’Neill stated that all parties in the Stormont Executive agreed that Northern Ireland requires a better funding model from Westminster. She acknowledged that Northern Ireland’s public services were being “starved” by the government. The government acknowledged that it was underfunding Northern Ireland, and a revenue-raising plan is expected to be published alongside a public service transformation plan.
Meanwhile, DUP’s deputy first minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, has defended the deal negotiated by her party leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. This comes in response to criticism from party colleagues Lord Maurice Morrow, Lord Nigel Dodds, and East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson, who stated in a joint letter that they do not agree with those in the DUP who believe that the Irish Sea border issue has been resolved
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