NICVA panel gives general welcome to budget

Voluntary and community sector representatives met at NICVA to view the Chancellor’s Budget speech. While recognising the Chancellor’s economic constraints which produced a Budget which was longer on rhetoric than actions, the mood was broadly positive. Seamus McAleavey, Chief Executive of NICVA, said: “We give a broad welcome to the Budget and a particular welcome to the Chancellor’s linkage of social justice issues and the economy. Extra money for pensioners and increased tax credits for those on low income are important as is the decentralisation of the New Deal for the Unemployed. This is something we have called for for a long time.”...

2003 budget statement