NI Conservatives’ finance spokesman, Harry Cullen, has highlighted how Conservative ministers in government are helping hard-working families in Northern Ireland.
“Despite the eye-watering deficit which this government has had to sort out, ministers have consistently provided help for hardworking families, businesses and financial support for Northern Ireland”, Harry pointed out. “By increasing personal allowances, George Osborne is putting an extra £704 in the pockets of 600,000 people here, through tax cuts, and 75,000 of the lowest paid have been lifted out of tax altogether. Additionally, with the new universal credit reforms there will be an extra £200 million for childcare support and a package of measures to help working women.”
“In order to encourage businesses to create jobs the rate of corporation tax has been cut to 20p, which is the lowest of any major developed country, and 10,000 small and medium businesses no longer pay employer’s national insurance contributions. Meanwhile Stormont has received £900 million of extra money to spend on infrastructure and public spending in Northern Ireland remains 20% higher per person than the UK average.”
“With the G8 coming to Fermanagh and our special circumstances consistently taken into account, it’s clear that, under David Cameron, the government is making a special effort for Northern Ireland. We’ve also been fortunate enough to have had two secretaries of state, Owen Paterson and Theresa Villiers, who have gone the extra mile to argue this region’s case at the cabinet table. The latest statistics show that the deficit is being tackled and the UK economy is starting to grow. It’s up to the executive to capitalise on the leadership shown by the Westminster government and help the private sector create more jobs in Northern Ireland.”