Ulster Unionist Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA has criticised Finance Minister John O’Dowd’s proposed draft budget for 2029/30, warning that despite its £63 billion scale, it fails to deliver the necessary transformation in key public services. Highlighting the inefficiencies, wasteful spending, and the need for urgent reforms before any discussion on new revenue raising powers.

Ulster Unionist Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA commented:

“The Finance Minister has put forward his proposed budget for the forthcoming years. At around £63 billion, it is considerable by any standards. However, when we look at our priority public services, such as Health, Education, and Policing, it is clear that the allocations are insufficient to achieve the necessary transformation. The Minister, in line with his party colleagues, has effectively disclaimed (much like the Economy Ministry’s accounts) the funding from Whitehall.

“While we recognise the pressures, having successfully argued with the Treasury for an uplift to 24% above baseline UK funding, we must ensure that we are using the money we have efficiently. Wasting £150 million on a road without a single square metre of tarmac laid is just one of far too many examples of public procurement gone badly wrong. We also have far too many layers of bureaucracy and a ‘quangocracy’ that is more reminiscent of East Germany than a modern government.

“If anyone doubts the inefficiency of many of our departments and their offshoots, a quick review of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s recent reports should put them right. We cannot pretend that we are getting the best value for taxpayers’ money, we simply are not.

“Within the draft budget, we can see large amounts of Financial Transaction Capital allocated over the years ahead. These should be used for major projects like social housing. However, unless the critical problems of water and sewage are resolved, we will never achieve the growth and prosperity we need. The Minister argues for increased revenue raising powers while ignoring the work of both the Fiscal Council and the Fiscal Commission, who have clearly indicated where that money should come from.

“While the Minister insists that anyone criticising his budget should bring forward their own proposals, it is noteworthy that his own party holds two departments where substantial revenue could be raised. These obvious measures would require political decision making rather than mere ‘Brit bashing.’

“This budget proposal is the first official step towards a long-term settlement. There will be many conversations, both private and public with plenty of heated debate before an agreement is reached. But the starting point should have been realism: a commitment to tackle the gross inefficiencies in our public services. Only then should we discuss additional revenue raising, especially as Sinn Féin has chosen to ignore the existing fiscal advice.”