Where does tax credit u-turn leave Stormont welfare deal? #BBCNolan

Nov 26, 2015, 11:39 AM

Well a bit of a different show this morning. You might think an autumn statement by a Chancellor of the Exchequer is a bit dull. But bear with us. This is vital stuff. The big news is that George Osborne has dropped plans to cut tax credits. The cuts would have meant 121,000 Northern Ireland households losing an average of £918 a year. Stormont had lined up £240m over four years for people facing these cuts. So how should they use it? More money for people facing cuts in their benefits? Or should it go to health, schools, roads and other public services? And what about the big Sinn Fein benefits pledge? They promised no one would lose out from Stormont welfare reforms. Last week they dropped that pledge. They told us tax credit cuts made it impossible. Well now, tax credit cuts aren't happening. So is this Sinn Fein policy coming back? Stephen talks to BBC NI Buisness and Economics Editor John Campbell, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, SDLP's Alban Maginness and we took your calls