Archive for October 8th, 2007
Ulster Unionist Party Finance Spokesman Roy Beggs, speaking as the Assembly debated a Committee report on Workplace 2010, said that while the Ulster Unionist Party was committed to delivering quality public services and had no ideological objections to the broad themes of Workplace 2010, the party had many concerns that needed to be addressed before it could give the proposal the thumbs up.
He added that the Assembly and Executive was finding itself in this position because the much mooted £1 Billion package had yet to materialise.
In a statement Mr Beggs said,
“We have no ideological baggage when it comes to selling off public buildings to generate more money to improve frontline services. We are keen to see the public getting the best public services that we can provide within the framework of the existing budget.
It should be remembered however that the current First Minister had promised people, along with his party, a £1 Billion package from the then Chancellor Gordon Brown to help our fledgling government get off the ground. This has yet to materialise and the Workplace 2010 proposal to sell 77 civil service buildings is a testament to this failure to deliver on the package.
We have concerns that, in the current proposal, there are considerable risks:
- Potential monopoly situation at ‘end of contract’ – what will be the cost of a future buy-back?
- How to prevent excessive profits by the successful developer in redeveloping the sites
- Can a satisfactory claw-back arrangement be agreed and implemented to ensure the public don’t get short changed
- Managing the risk of a developer going bust and the civil service estate being left in limbo or in the hands of receivers”
Continue Reading E-mail October 8th, 2007
Roy Beggs MLA
Ulster Unionist East Belfast Representative Michael Copeland said today’s 14% hike in the price of Economy 7 electricity would punish those already suffering from fuel poverty and those who needed to keep warm the most.
In a statement Mr Copeland said,
“This 14% hike is punitive. It is estimated that one in four households in Northern Ireland suffers from fuel poverty. These one in four households are more likely to be using Economy 7 as it was widely understood to be cost effective. Not any more!
In my own constituency there are thousands of citizens using Economy 7. These are homes that in many cases suffer from economic hardship or where the wages or benefits received are not going up as the cost of living goes up.
Only today I visited sheltered accommodation where Economy 7 heating, as it is, doesn’t offer adequate heating within the existing budget. Coming into winter this problem will only get worse.
I would urge the Social Development Minister to increase winter fuel payments to match this punitive hike.”
Continue Reading E-mail October 8th, 2007
Michael Copeland
Ulster Unionist Police Board Member Basil McCrea today said he supported moves by the Chief Constable to phase in ‘Tazer’ units saying that they would save lives rather than endanger them.
In a statement today, after the Policing Board voted against their immediate introduction until an impact assessment was made, Mr McCrea said,
“There have been many misleading statements about Tazers in the Policing Board, giving the impression that the PSNI would use them willy nilly.
Tazers are to be used as a last resort, in place of firearms where appropriate. Surely it is better to Tazer an individual committing a serious crime or endangering the lives of others rather than shoot them?
The Policing Board has asked for an equality impact assessment to be carried out before they make a decision. My own personal view is that not only should the Chief Constable’s operational independence be safeguarded at all costs and at all times, but also that if a Tazer saves one life where it could have been lost by shooting someone with a gun then it is something that needs to be brought in sooner rather than later.”
Continue Reading E-mail October 8th, 2007
Basil McCrea MLA
