Member's statement: Financial Support

Member's statement by Mr Phillip Brett on 20 April 2026.

MLA

Mr Phillip Brett

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

20 April 2026

Type

Member's statement

Business

Members' Statements

Heading

Financial Support

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5493195

Read the official Assembly record

Text

People across Northern Ireland are being squeezed from every direction, and the sad reality is that too many in politics are making the situation worse. Families are being punished every time they go to the petrol pumps. Small businesses watch as costs spiral, and farmers are being hit by soaring costs and tighter margins. It is no wonder that, across Northern Ireland, people are out protesting.

When hard-working people feel ignored, anger grows. The police must be cautious, proportionate and focused on keeping people safe while respecting a fundamental right of our democracy: the right to protest. However, those people are not asking for sympathy; they are asking one simple question: how can they survive? That is why it was important that, last week, the Executive supported Minister Gordon Lyons's proposal to provide £100 of direct support towards fuel bills for over 300,000 households across Northern Ireland, including families who earn too much to qualify for help but nowhere near enough to keep up with the rising cost of living. There is much more to do, but that is an important first step. We will continue to hold our national Government's feet to the fire and demand action on a UK-wide basis, but responsibility also rests with those in the House to act in the interests of the people whom we represent. Sadly, too many here are playing the same game by voting for things in the House that, they know, can never be delivered. Last week, parties backed a proposal for free school meal payments for some children over the summer period at a cost of up to £30 million a year. Let me be clear: everyone wants to support those in need, and that is a noble cause, but, when the Bill sponsor was asked how it would be funded, we were met with silence. When other parties were asked who would pay for it, we were again met with silence. They know the truth that, when money comes from the Education budget, that means less support for children in the classroom. The same fantasy economics happens with regard to net-zero politics. Targets are announced and motions are passed, but, when the question is asked as to who pays for them, again there is silence. The life-saving A5 project, which was blocked as a result of votes in the House, has been met with silence. That is gesture politics, and ordinary people pay the price. People are fed up with this charade. We need common sense in politics, and this party will continue to stand by that principle.

430 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:21 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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