Published Friday, 04 March 2011
On Thursday night, the Stormont Executive agreed on a final budget without the support of Ulster Unionist and SDLP ministers.
The plans were however approved by a DUP/Sinn Féin majority.
Michael McGimpsey says he will fight cuts but says some bills will not be paid after 1 April if budget passed. Margaret Ritchie says SDLP will stay in Executive and fight cuts.
UTV’s Political Editor Ken Reid on Twitter (@KenReid_UTV)
Mr Wilson said: "While producing the budget was necessarily free of any selfish party political interests it is clear that some of the opposition to the budget has been for cynical political purposes. Some ministers simply could not take yes for an answer.
"What the Executive has delivered today is proof of the growing maturity there is within our political system in that we can produce a fair, balanced budget for a four-year period even in the face of imminent elections."
Extra £432m
Mr Wilson said an extra £432m has been raised for public services in Northern Ireland.
An increase in the amount of property rates brought in, use of an "invest to save" fund and an overcommitment by the government over the four-year budget anticipates extra revenue generating opportunities taken up in future by departments.
Mr Wilson also announced plans to impose a levy on large out-of-town shopping developments to subsidise extra rates relief for small businesses.
The Education department was granted an extra £154m over the next four years while Employment and Learning Minister Danny Kennedy was given an extra £51m. However, the Department for Social Development saw its funds cut by £70m.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, who has been vocal in his criticism of the draft budget, was offered an extra £120m for his department over the next four years.
Mr Wilson said: "I recognise that this is still short of what the Health Minister has publicly said he feels is needed. However, while his statement of need has been made publicly and often, the Executive still awaits the presentation of a robust case from the Health Minister.
"This is a budget that supports the community, grows the economy and reflects the needs and aspirations of the people of Northern Ireland.
"What the Executive has delivered today is proof of the growing maturity there is within our political system in that we can produce a fair, balanced budget for a four year period even in the face of imminent elections.
"The Executive recognises the imperative of putting in place spending plans that give certainty to departments and therefore employees and all our citizens who avail of public services.
"In a five party mandatory coalition no party will get everything that it wants from a Budget process but I believe that this outcome marks a fair compromise and has sought to take on board the concerns of all parties.
"But the reality is that in the present fiscal environment there is less money available to spend. As I said back in December when releasing the Draft Budget, we have received no favours from the UK Spending Review which has resulted in a loss of £4bn over the Spending Review period.
"The UK national administration, supported by their electoral partners in the UUP, has imposed a very tough spending review settlement on Northern Ireland".
UUP leader Tom Elliott said: "Once again the DUP tried to trot out the mantra of "Tory cuts". They seem to forget that the economic mess in which the United Kingdom finds itself is the result of the Labour Government's term of office and the worldwide economic downturn. Reduced public spending is a feature of life from Athens to Athlone, but the DUP and Sinn Fein are so economically illiterate they seem incapable of understanding this."
The draft proposals, unveiled by Mr Wilson in December, contain £4bn in spending cuts with the promise of almost £1bn in new revenue to help ease the pain. Trade unions have said the plans are fundamentally flawed.
A final vote will take place within the next week, ahead of the assembly elections on 5 May.