Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Huw Merriman Excerpts
Tuesday 21st July 2015

(8 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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We are well aware of the difficult situation with the finances of the Northern Ireland Executive, and of the objections in some quarters of the Assembly to what are, I think, sensible welfare reforms that will help people in Northern Ireland into work. We are working with the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to resolve that impasse, but it is clearly not sustainable to allow a devolved Administration to ignore the controls placed on them. I know that the hon. Gentleman and his party support that position, and we are working with him, and others, to resolve the issue.

Huw Merriman Portrait Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) (Con)
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Will my right hon. Friend continue to encourage Opposition Members to support our Budget proposals, noting that the legislation for a budget surplus comes before the House later this year?