DUP budget support snub could risk city deal millions, says UUP

BELFAST could lose out on £450m if the DUP votes down the budget, the Ulster Unionists have claimed.

They say that a £1bn investment package for the Belfast City Region is dependent on the Chancellor agreeing to £450m being approved in this budget.

UUP councillor Stephen Nicholl has said that it would be the height of hypocrisy for DUP councillors to travel to London to lobby for more money for a Belfast city deal from a budget which their Westminster representatives intend to vote against.

A city deal is an agreement between the Government and a city which gives it certain powers, as well as the freedom to take charge and take responsibility for bigger decisions that affect their catchment.

Currently there are discussions with Westminster to secure city deals for both Belfast and Londonderry which are understood to be at an advanced stage and are thought to be under favourable consideration.

However the Ulster Unionists are now suggesting the DUP could jeopardise hundreds of millions of pounds that could come to Northern Ireland through the city deals.

Mr Nicholl said: “The DUP are currently indicating they may vote against the forthcoming budget which will have significant impacts across a wide range of social and economic issues.

“Increased funding for welfare, for health and education is seen as vital to address the many social issues remaining from years of austerity and financial cuts.

“Of particular concern is the potential impact on funding for the Belfast city deal. A £1bn investment package for the Belfast City Region is dependent on the Chancellor agreeing to £450m being approved in this budget.

“Councillors from the Belfast City region along with council officers and business representatives are due to be in Westminster on October 23 and 24 to lobby for this investment.

“It would be the height of hy- pocrisy if DUP councillors were to travel to London to lobby for more money from a budget their representatives in Westminster intend to vote against.”

The DUP had not responded to a request for comment by the time of going to press.