NORTHERN IRELAND’S First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness joined the leaders of the Scottish and Welsh administrations at talks hosted by British prime minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street yesterday about the state of the UK economy.
Scottish first minister Alex Salmond emerged from the meeting saying there was “no doubt” he could work with the prime minister to help families and businesses through the current tough economic times, while again insisting the UK government’s efficiency drive would see £500 million cut from the Scottish budget.
Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness also questioned Mr Brown’s expectation that savings on current budgets can be made as a result of falling inflation and costs.
Both men are also anxious that the next public spending review could see some £130 million cut from the Northern Ireland budget, which Mr Robinson indicated would be a matter for a separate meeting.
Mr Brown also agreed to hold separate talks with Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness to discuss the plight of investors in the Presbyterian Mutual Society.
Scottish secretary of state Jim Murphy said he wanted to see all the UK’s administrations joining forces to tackle the recession.
“I want to see the Scottish government, the Welsh government, the Northern Irish Assembly and, importantly, the UK government all tighten their belts in the same way that families across Scotland are doing.”
A row broke out in the House of Commons, meanwhile, over the government’s plan to complete all stages of a new Northern Ireland Bill – providing for the devolution of policing and justice powers to Stormont – in a single sitting next Wednesday.