East Belfast MLA Andy Allen MBE has said yesterday’s budget announcement from the Department for Communities will have a profoundly devastating impact on many across Northern Ireland

Mr Allen said: 

“Yesterday's announcement from the Department for Communities that their 2023/4 budget allocation falls significantly short of the funding it requires will have a profoundly devastating impact on so many across society. 

“These required cuts, coupled with those already outlined, against the backdrop of soaring cost of living increases, will further push households into poverty. It will heap further pressure onto an already beleaguered third sector which repeatedly absorbs the brunt of cuts and government failure. 

“It is however clear that the UK Government is out of sync with reality when it is being indicated they will step in to plug the significant funding shortfall in the Casement Park development, meanwhile, our housing waiting lists soar, whilst the budget to deliver housing is slashed. It is not credible for Government, whether the ground is included within the Euro 2028 bid or not, to fund the shortfall whilst enforcing cuts.

“Households are already struggling, and this budget will do nothing but deepen the impact. The Secretary of State and the UK Government need to examine the direction of travel and intervene.”