Sinn Féin challenges Heaton Harris over 'cruel cuts'

The British Secretary of State has been challenged to meet those "bearing the brunt of the cruel cuts his government is imposing on families, workers and children".

The call came from Foyle MLA Pádraig Delargy (Sinn Féin).

Commenting after calling for the latest round of budget cuts to be overturned, Mr Delargy said: "Ciara Ferguson and I have written to the British Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris to directly challenge him on the cruel cuts which his government is imposing on families, workers and children. In recent days we have seen more savage cuts to school budgets, including on key programmes such as Extended Schools.

“This follows cuts which are already impacting on the community sector and transport schemes and now we are being warned of an even more vicious budget to come.

“That is wrong. It is cruel and vindictive, and it is being imposed on this city and region by a Tory government in London which has no mandate on this island

“These budgets should be restored, and the crisis now being faced by many organisations underlines the need to restore the Executive and get parties working together to deliver for communities and protect our public services from these cruel and callous Tory policies," said Mr Delargy.

The Foyle MLA said Sinn Féin was challenging Chris Heaton-Harris to meet with those schools, community organisations and many other groups and individuals who are dealing with the impact of these "cruel cuts".

He added: "We will also be continuing our process of engagement with the organisations and services affected and we will be encouraging all those groups to let the British Government know exactly how these cuts will affect the programmes and people that rely on this funding.”