Ulster Unionist Finance Spokesperson Steve Aiken has condemned the ongoing failure to agree an Executive budget, warning it is already inflicting real damage on public services across Northern Ireland.

The South Antrim MLA said the inability of the DUP and Sinn Fein to present a plan to allocate the financial settlement worth close to £60 billion over three years is nothing short of a scandal.

Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:

“The most basic function of any Government is to set and agree a Budget. Yet, instead of governing, Sinn Féin and the DUP are stuck in election mode - more focused on point-scoring than taking decisions. Without a budget, departments are capped at 45% of last year’s spending, rising only to 95% later in the year. That means real-terms cuts are inevitable - even before additional Barnett funding is considered. We are in the absurd position of not being able to spend money already allocated to Northern Ireland.

“The absence of a budget is having serious and damaging consequences on the delivery of key public services, not least on the health and social care system. After raising the issue with the Minister of Health he has confirmed the uncertainty is delaying staff pay awards, shamefully slowing the progress that was being made on tackling waiting lists and undermining long-term reform

“This is a direct warning from the Health Minister - not political spin. Patients and frontline staff are paying the price for political failure.  While some Ministers will decry the lack of funding coming from Westminster, we are in the bizarre situation where we can't even spend the money already allocated to us. 

“This cannot continue. Repeating the same approach and expecting different results is not credible. The public will have a choice, continue with dysfunction, or demand a government that actually works.”