From questioning the Secretary of State in Parliament to meeting party activists in Cullybackey, Bangor and Portadown, it’s been another eventful and important week.
As we approach the half-term break, I know many of you will have children off school for a few days and will be looking forward to some family time. However, the political landscape remains active, with a significant moment looming next week as the Chancellor delivers the first Budget of this Labour administration—a moment that will shape the direction of the country, and indeed Northern Ireland, for years to come.
Last Tuesday, alongside Treasury spokesman Sammy Wilson and our team of MPs, we submitted a letter to the Chancellor outlining what we believe are not just requests, but fair and essential demands for the people of Northern Ireland.
At the heart of this is our call for the Government to allocate funding based on need. For too long, Northern Ireland has been short-changed, with funding failing to reflect the deep and long-term challenges we face in areas such as poverty, health, and public services. This unfair approach has left Northern Ireland struggling to meet basic service standards—standards that, as a Party, we are committed to raising. It is high time that Westminster recognises these needs and delivers a funding deal that genuinely reflects the realities on the ground.
We also reminded the Chancellor that the budget needs to reward people who work hard rather than crippling them with further taxes. Rather than penalising families who work hard, the Treasury should be focusing on the internet giants who have billions of sales in the UK but pay derisory levels of tax to the Treasury.
Next week, back in East Belfast, I will attend the sod-cutting ceremony for the new Dundonald International Ice Bowl—a project that speaks to the power of investment in our communities. This £52 million project led by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, with £12 million hard won from the Government’s Levelling-Up fund, is a landmark development not just for Dundonald, but for Northern Ireland as a whole. When completed in 2027, this state-of-the-art venue will not only foster sporting excellence but also become a hub of family fun, community, and future memories. We must continue to invest in spaces like these, particularly when we think of the rainy half-terms ahead—what would we do without these places for our children to burn off energy and stay active?
Sport and recreation is good for us but also a huge part of family life up and down the country. Whether it’s youth football or the top level, I’m proud that our Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has already acted. The £36 million Northern Ireland Football Fund is a major boost to performance and grassroots clubs alike, including the establishment of a National Training Centre. Additionally, Gordon has launched a new low-interest loan scheme for the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise sector, supporting projects such as Crusaders’ new 3G pitch. These initiatives reflect our vision of a healthier, more active society, and there is much more to come.
This week Paul Givan, as DUP Education Minister, outlined how he plans to move forward with one of the biggest reviews of education in a generation. He is reviewing the curriculum and also making changes to help our more vulnerable youth, ensuring they have the structured support they need to unlock their full potential and take their rightful place in society.
But for now, our educators and our young people deserve a break. Whilst I will be over in Westminster for the budget and then analysing what it means for Northern Ireland, hopefully towards the end of next week, I’ll be taking some time with Lindsay and Reuben to enjoy the half term break and enjoy the beautiful outdoors appreciating the best of what our wee country has to offer.
Wishing you a restful and enjoyable weekend,
