Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29/2030: Reports

Debate contribution by Mr Maurice Bradley on 11 May 2026.

MLA: Mr Maurice Bradley
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 11 May 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Committee Business
Heading: Budget 2026-29/2030: Reports
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5524035

Text

I would welcome a three-year Budget, as would most in the House. As a member of the Committee for Communities, I welcome the principle of such a Budget. Greater financial certainty would allow Departments, councils and community organisations to plan more effectively and deliver projects more strategically and sustainably. While the principle is welcome, the reality is that the Budget falls short of what is required. There is growing disappointment in the Executive's overall approach to the process. Given the pressures facing households, public services and communities, people expected a more credible and deliverable financial plan. The Department for Communities has responsibility for housing, welfare support, regeneration, anti-poverty work and employment programmes. A clear gap remains between the expectations placed on the Department and the funding allocated to it. One of the clearest examples of that is benefit delivery. While the proposed £8 million allocation is welcome, it falls significantly short of what is required. I am aware that around 70% of universal credit claimants do not receive the in-work support that they need because of staffing pressures and insufficient parity funding. At a time when Northern Ireland continues to experience high levels of economic activity, that should concern every Member. Housing and homelessness remain among the most pressing issues that face communities across Northern Ireland. Social housing waiting lists continue to rise, homelessness pressures are increasing and demand for temporary accommodation continues to grow. The Committee has heard clearly that bids for homelessness support, Supporting People —
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The Committee has heard clearly that bids for homelessness support, Supporting People programmes and discretionary support have not been met. There is also a major shortfall in social housing funding. Current allocations fall well below what is needed to meet Programme for Government (PFG) housing targets. Failure to properly invest in social housing will only increase homelessness pressures and place further strain on public services. Communities want to see delivery, not repeated announcements. Towns, including my town, Coleraine, continue to struggle with vacant premises, declining footfall and lack of investment confidence. Regeneration projects must be realistic, transparent and properly funded. I am concerned at the lack of dedicated funding for the anti-poverty strategy and the disability and work strategy, despite both being recognised as Executive priorities. Strategies without funding risk becoming little more than aspirations.
Finally, the community and voluntary sector continues to provide critical front-line support in areas such as mental health, addiction, food poverty and youth services, yet many organisations are being trapped in cycles of financial uncertainty. Ultimately, the Budget must be judged on whether it delivers real outcomes for communities across Northern Ireland. There remains a serious concern that the Department for Communities is being asked to do far more than the funding provided will realistically allow. The proposed multi-year Budget does not adequately meet the Department's funding requirements and will therefore force difficult decisions to be taken, which will impact on services across Northern Ireland. The consequences will extend beyond the Department and affect key Executive priorities, including anti-poverty measures, disability employment support and housing supply. As a DUP MLA, I strongly recommend a realistic Budget that sees tough decisions being taken and priority allocations being made that reflect the needs of everyone in Northern Ireland.

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

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