Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has made the following statement on todays budget vote;

“My party are voting against this budget because we are committed to standing up for our health service. We will not voluntarily exit the Executive because, as a party, we are committed to our patients, services and staff.

“We will continue to put health first, we will continue to call for other parties to stop paying lip service and start honouring their commitments.

“The Ulster Unionist Party have never shied away from putting the people of Northern Ireland first, quitting is simply not in our DNA.

“There can be no denying that the challenges facing the Health Service in coming years will be the most demanding in our lifetime. It will not be possible to ‘quick fix’ the impact of recent boycotts of government by both Sinn Fein and the DUP.

“Delivering the health service Northern Ireland deserves will take decades and require the unwavering and continued commitment of every party to recognise and prioritise this work.    

“We understand the importance of good government and know that it is only with an Ulster Unionist Health Minister that the challenges our health service face can be given the support and leadership it needs.”