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Villiers calls for renewed effort on welfare

Re-appointed Secretary of State Theresa Villiers calls for implementation of Stormont House deal
Re-appointed Secretary of State Theresa Villiers calls for implementation of Stormont House deal Re-appointed Secretary of State Theresa Villiers calls for implementation of Stormont House deal

Theresa Villiers has said it is vital to resolve the welfare reform impasse for the sake of the Executive's future.

Speaking after being re-appointed by David Cameron as secretary of state, the MP for Chipping Barnet called for rapid progress on the Stormont House Agreement, saying its implementation would deliver "significant steps forward".

Ms Villiers pledged to devolve corporation tax powers to Stormont if the pre-Christmas deal was adhered to.

Sinn Féin and the DUP are expected to re-engage this week in an effort to break the welfare deadlock.

The assembly had been due to pass legislation in March before Sinn Féin withdrew its support amid concerns about which benefit claimants would be covered by the new system.

Ms Villiers said it was essential that the parties made "early and rapid progress" on implementing the Stormont House Agreement.

"The agreement has the potential to deliver significant steps forward for Northern Ireland across a range of issues, including the functioning of the Executive, dealing with the past and building a stronger economy – it is vital therefore that we urgently resolve the issue of welfare reform," she said.

"I am looking forward to working with the executive and the wider community as we seek to build a stable, peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland where politics works, the economy grows and society is stronger and more cohesive."

In the assembly yesterday Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said Mrs Villiers's party planned to introduce millions of pounds of further cuts.

"The challenge that poses for all the devolved administrations is very clear for everyone," he said.

"The SNP (Scottish National Party) are now majoring on the issue of austerity. All of us are going to be affected by this, not just the people on welfare."

He called on all public representatives to work together, claimed that MPs from Northern Ireland sitting at Westminster would not make any difference to the view of the Conservatives.

"What will make a difference will be a united front from all the parties in our administration, making united cause," he said.

"The hope certainly for all of us has to be that what is happening in Scotland will have an impact on the Conservative government."

The Republic's Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan also urged the parties work on implementing the Stormont House deal agreed with the two governments.

"Last December, with the signing of the Stormont House Agreement, we both saw what can be achieved when the two governments and the Northern Ireland Executive parties work together towards the shared aims of advancing the reconciliation agenda and building a more prosperous Northern Ireland for its people – it is time to return to this work," he said.