SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said that a budget statement published by the Secretary of State today will gut public services and devastate public sector workers.

Mr Eastwood repeated his call for the urgent restoration of the Executive to address the very serious challenges facing people across the North.

Colum Eastwood MP said:

“The budget published by the Secretary of State today will damage public services and devastate the people who rely on them. Flat cash budget lines will lead to flatlining services and further pay injustice for the public sector workers who have been left to deal with the consequences of a political boycott of government.

“Under the terms of this budget there is no space to transform public services. The settlement will mean no fair pay deal for people giving their all to keep this society going. It is rooted in unfairness and it will only deliver inequality.

“A Tory government in Westminster should not be shaping the future of our public services. We have it in our power to make those decisions ourselves but it is being given away cheaply by political leaders who lack the courage to take difficult decisions.

“The SDLP has made proposals to the other parties and the Secretary of State today which would limit the impact of cuts on public services and set new rules for responsible government. Others should back us.”