Unpaid Government Bills could alter final shape of Chancellor’s package says Empey
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey has been informed by Minister Hanson that there are a number of unfunded liabilities within the NIO despite being told that the new Executive would not be picking up any unfunded liabilities on the 22 March in Number 11 Downing Street.
Any unfunded liabilities could radically change the final tally of the financial package for Northern Ireland.
In a statement Sir Reg said,
“The Ulster Unionist party is keen to ensure that our future Executive Ministers are not hampered, impeded or shackled with any of the leftovers of Direct Rule. But the fact is that it has now been made clear by Minister Hanson that there are liabilities and there is now a big question mark over the final shape of Chancellor’s proposals.
Unfunded liabilities are in effect unpaid bills which put a dent into the package the Chancellor is offering. There may not be a black hole, but they should be able to give us some general information, or at least some sort of steer about what kind of liability is involved.
Until we can get this sorted out we will not know what the net gain, if any, is from the Chancellor’s package. I was assured on 22nd March in 11 Downing Street that there were no unpaid bills to worry about. Now Minister Hanson says there are but cannot be specific about the sums involved. It is essential this is sorted out. We need to get off on the surest possible footing when devolution returns.”