Gavin Robinson said:
“The DUP recognise that there are challenging economic realities facing the Government and that this will necessitate difficult decisions to be made.
However, this does not give the Government licence to take decisions that punish hard work and endeavour. Labour’s decision to withdraw the Winter Fuel Payment from pensioners across the UK was cruel and unjustified and ought not to be replicated in other ways as the Government seek to cut spending in the upcoming Budget.
Our asks of the Government are based on fairness.
Fairness for Northern Ireland in terms of additional funding for the delivery of public services.
Fairness for working families in how much they are taxed, and by increasing support for childcare.
Fairness for motorists by retaining the freeze on fuel duty.
And fairness for farming families, with no change to inheritance tax and Agricultural Property Relief.
These are just some of our asks of the Government, reflecting the priorities of our Party to secure the best deal for Northern Ireland, and our community.
We urge the Government to use this Budget wisely. Penalising those who work hard would be wrong and would only serve to disincentivise endeavour and enterprise.”