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Sammy Wilson: How were civil servants able to publish budget proposals?

DUP MP Sammy Wilson has questioned budget proposals from the Department of Finance. File picture by Matt Bohill
DUP MP Sammy Wilson has questioned budget proposals from the Department of Finance. File picture by Matt Bohill DUP MP Sammy Wilson has questioned budget proposals from the Department of Finance. File picture by Matt Bohill

A SENIOR DUP politician has questioned why civil servants decided to publish budget proposals in the absence of Stormont ministers.

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson said the publication of Monday's budget suggestions from the Department of Finance was "highly irregular".

Increasing rates, ending free prescriptions and means-testing school transport were among the options proposed to balance Stormont's books.

The north's departments are facing severe budget pressures against a backdrop of an expected reduction in funds from London.

Mr Wilson questioned how civil servants were able to publish the proposals.

"There are questions to be asked about how a decision to publish such a document was taken," he said.

"However, many of the scenarios put forward will have been the same as were placed before (former Sinn Féin finance minister) Máirtín Ó Muilleoir a year ago," he said.

An emergency budget had to be struck last month as Stormont remained on hiatus following its collapse in January.

Mr Wilson claimed Sinn Féin had prioritised a standalone Irish language act ahead of a return to power-sharing.

He said in the absence of an Executive, direct rule must be introduced.

"If an Executive were in place or direct rule ministers were in place then progress could be made on issues such as health service reform. The current stalemate is making matters worse," he said.