NICVA Budget panellists give their views on the Budget

Seamus McAleavey remarked:

“In general the NICVA budget panel thought the Chancellor’s budget was good in the circumstances.  We believe if Labour is re-elected this is a budget it will actually run with and it’s unlikely to return with an emergency budget after the general election.  We thought the Chancellor was credible on his borrowing figures, whereas last year we thought them somewhat fanciful.  His plans to reduce borrowing sounds credible.  He has again indicated what we all know - that there will be significant spending cuts from 2011 on and we have to prepare for those and mitigate the damage they can cause.”

Susan Christie, Director of Northern Ireland Environment Link stated:

“We welcome the announcement of an equity investment fund for green infrastructure which should have strong benefits for Northern Ireland.  We have potential for significant growth in reusable energy projects, both for supplying energy for local use and to develop jobs and business in research, development and production of technologies for support.”

Andrew Dougal, Chief Executive of NI Chest Heart and Stroke said:

“The 1% increase above inflation may reduce the number of smokers in Northern Ireland by more than 1,000. Next year the 2% above inflation will reduce the number of Northern Ireland smokers by more than 2,000.

Increases in tobacco will bring more money to the Exchequer, therefore a saving in disability benefits, albeit with more spent on extra pensioner benefits.”

Judith Cross, Strategic Policy Advisor for Age Concern Help the Aged:

“Age Concern Help the Aged welcomes the increased support for older workers through the tax credits system, the commitment to reform of the default retirement age and the guarantee of the winter fuel payments at its current level.

We would urge the government to abolish the default retirement age.”

Zoe Anderson, Policy Officer at Access to Benefits (A to B) agreed with Judith Cross’s comments and added:

“A2B is disappointed that the basic state pension is not being increased. We would like to see the immediate restoration of the link to earnings. 

We welcome next month’s increase to pension credit but we are disappointed that this is not paid automatically.”

Bob Stronge, Director of Advice NI said:

“Overall a budget aimed at consoling the markets and fairly little in it for local people in Northern Ireland.  Nothing about helping the long-term unemployed, no increase in benefit rates, which is very disappointing – could have done more to help people in personal debt.  We welcome relaxation of rules on tax credits for the over 60s, the extension of the mortgage relief scheme and the proposal to extend basic bank accounts to a further one million people.”

Ricky Rowledge, Director of Council for the Homeless stated:

“In regards to housing, the commitment to support first time buyers is welcomed.  However the problem of house re-possessions has not been addressed and this is extremely high in Northern Ireland. 

The exclusion of more expensive properties from the housing benefit system is targeted more at England, as these properties do not exist in Northern Ireland.”