Simpson highlights impact of Sinn Fein reform stance

He said, “The DUP were at Westminster when welfare reform was being debated. Unlike others, we were present to vote against proposals we believed would impact on vulnerable people. It was DUP Ministers who then negotiated with the government in London to secure key concessions and ensure we have a welfare package available that is better than other regions of the United Kingdom.

“The Sinn Fein cuts imposed through their failure to implement the agreement they signed up to at Stormont House is costing Northern Ireland £9.5million every month. “It is worth quantifying that figure in terms of real front-line services that could be provided to the most needy in our society.

“£9.5 million would provide:

660,000 hours of domiciliary care

or

16,000 weeks of nursing home care

or

1,836 hip operations

or

2,130 knee operations

or

264,000 face to face GP consultations

“Sinn Fein’s refusal to play their part and to implement the agreements reached by the Executive parties before Christmas will have much deeper cuts and ramifications for the people of Upper Bann and right across Northern Ireland.”