First independent analysis of draft Budget released

Launching the report today, Seamus McAleavey, Chief Executive of NICVA, explained that they commissioned PwC to provide a factual analysis of the draft Budget and departmental spending plans to assist voluntary and community organisations to produce robust consultation submissions. 

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Download a copy of the report

"The PwC report provides a straightforward and understandable overview of the complex NI draft Budget.  The fragmented nature of the Budget process had created real anxiety that no-one had any idea of the cumulative impact of cuts to spending right across government departments.
 
“This report is the last piece of the information jigsaw for our members. More than 1,500 of whom have attended consultation events, organised by NICVA, and attended by senior officials from all government departments as well as Ministers, Martin McGuinness, Sammy Wilson, Alex Attwood and David Ford.
 
“We are actively encouraging our sector to apply this information to their budget responses and ultimately scrutinise the final decisions of departments for fairness.  Our worst fears are realised in a draft Budget which the report finds is fragmented, does not balance and is not sufficiently far thinking.
 
“There is no hiding place when it comes to the tough decisions ahead and our consistent call for unity of purpose among the departments is more important now than ever before. In our view the most important message is the need for the NI Executive to develop a compact or contract with civic society and agree a four year plan to make fair and proportionate decisions. 
 
“The settlement from the Treasury has put the Executive in a tough place and we have to recognise that.  Public anger should be targeted at Westminster not at the NI Executive who have to cope with the fallout and should be commended for aiming for a four year budget," concluded Seamus.

A copy of the report is attached (below) for download.