Clarke Attacks SDLP Over Budget Position

[/caption] “In the run-up to the budget, Sinn Féin proactively examined the deficiencies in present Departmental spending practices and indentified new revenue streams. In our deliberations, we put forward proposals that would secure £1.86 billion to alleviate thexa0effects of the Tory imposed cuts to the Executive’s Budget. “xa0By contrast, the SDLP only published its Economic paper the week before the Draft Budget was produced. It consisted mainly of regurgitated policies published a number of years ago and a few additional ideas that were discussed during the all-party Budget Review Groupxa0meetings to which they did not contribute one single proposal. ” Now in the mouth ofxa0an election they propose an amendment to the Draft Budget which they claim would generate £22.1million. As well as cosying up to the UUP/Tory party their spokespeople such as Conall McDevitt are now advocating the introduction of water charges. ” The SDLP state the obvious when they say the budget is not good enough butxa0Sinn Féin, rather than sit back and absorb the wounds inflicted by the British Exchequer went about identifying an additional £1.86 Billion of efficiencies and revenue raising opportunities in our document, ‘A Better Way’. ” The SDLP need to stop playing politics with people’s lives in advance of an election and their time would be better spent joining with us in working to ensure a better deal for all of us,” he added.]]>