Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, UUP Spokesperson on Finance said:

“The Chancellor today delivered a budget that few will be happy with. While the additional £100M in Barnett consequentials, coupled with a 2pence cut in National Insurance, will be welcomed as positive developments by the government, the real term squeeze on public services will dampen down the stuttering attempts to boost the economy.

“The tinkering at the edges of non-dom tax, moves on child benefit and additional support to ‘green’ industries will not compensate for the hard cuts that many departments, local and regional government are likely to have to make in financial year 24-25. 

“For Northern Ireland, attempting to balance its books and move beyond the narrow confines of a one-year budget, will mean we will struggle significantly. The sense of running out of ideas and time permeates from today’s budget announcement. The next comprehensive spending review cannot come soon enough.”