NI Assembly to vote on spending plans

Assembly members will today decide whether to approve the Executive's proposed spending priorities for the North over the next…

Assembly members will today decide whether to approve the Executive's proposed spending priorities for the North over the next three years.

The programme for government, which was agreed along with the budget by cabinet members last week, is to be debated at Stormont.

With DUP and Sinn Féin MLAs certain to accept the Programme for Government (PfG), it will gain the required cross-community support needed for approval.

The PfG sets out the Executive's goals for the period up to 2011 and determines the shape of the budget and investment strategy.

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Its underpinning themes are creating economic growth and promoting inclusion and equality. However the best way to attain those aims has been the subject of lengthy debate within the Executive.

At the weekend, UUP leader Sir Reg Empey, who as Employment minister signed up to the final PfG and budget plans, said his backbenchers were likely to back the proposals.

However, he said he could not guarantee his party would remain within the coalition for the lifetime of the Assembly.

The Assembly will debate the proposed budget tomorrow.