Simpson says no to proposed Tory cuts

He said, “It is now being widely reported that if the Tories were to win the next election they would within a few weeks impose cuts of some 6 billion.

efficiency

“Here in Northern Ireland this would mean cutting some 200 million this year on top of all of the other efficiency measures already required by central government.

“When the Policing and Justice financial package was negotiated, it was ring-fenced. This means that those 200 million in cuts would come elsewhere. Health currently accounts for of the entire NI budget.

“On that basis those Tory cuts would either remove 100 million from the NHS in Northern Ireland or else remove the full 200 million from schools, housing, economic development, higher education, roads, tourism etc.

“As with every one of his colleagues, the local Tory/UUP candidate has already, in advance, pledged his support to the Tories. He has already agreed to go through the lobbies to vote for those cuts – cuts to nurses, teachers etc.

“By signing away his vote he has, in advance, given his support to every tax hike, every cut in public spending, every assault on the poor by way of VAT increase and every threat to the Northern Ireland economy by way of ‘savage’ cuts to the NI Block Grant.

united

“Northern Ireland needs a strong united team returned to Westminster to maximise the Northern Ireland block grant to ensure our economy grows and more jobs are created.

“Northern Ireland needs a united team of MPs who will not be forced to vote for double-digit cuts in the Northern Ireland block grant. Only the DUP MPs will be free and unfettered to do so.”