Speaking following the publication of the Draft Budget, Gerry Carroll said: “The Finance Minister is once again pointing the finger at the British Government, blaming Labour for failing to fund our public services to the levels needed.”
“While Westminster's role in perpetuating underfunding is undeniable, Sinn Fein’s Finance Minister conveniently fails to acknowledge that the Executive - including his own party - is acting as a handmaiden for British austerity. Executive parties are implementing punitive cuts by choice, not necessity. At a time of record corporate profits across these islands, the Finance Minister hasn’t made a single proposal or raised his voice to argue for higher levels of corporate taxes.”
“It is unconscionable that the big parties want to hike the regional domestic rate by 5% for each of the next three years - far above the rate of current inflation. Ordinary families still struggle to access basic public services. They see little to no improvement in local council services and struggle to pay household bills and put food on the table. Working class communities are once again being asked to pay more while getting less.”
“The Minister claims he wants to hear concrete revenue-raising alternatives from other parties. People Before Profit has repeatedly provided those alternatives:
Abolish industrial derating - stop giving rates breaks to hugely wealthy multinational corporations that pollute the local environment, mistreat their workers and act in complicity with Israeli apartheid;
Complete the devolution of income tax - increase it for high earners;
Create a fairer rates system - bills should be calculated based on ability to pay.
“The money has always been there. It's just in the wrong pockets.”
“Most people out there won’t trust Executive parties - or even those in the official opposition - who have their fingerprints on a multitude of disastrous budgets to stand up for them. We have to rely on our own strength, community mobilisations, trade unions and people power to challenge this budget.”
“The North deserves better than managed decline disguised as fiscal responsibility. The Executive must refuse to facilitate austerity, and instead provide a budget that improves the material conditions of working class communities.”