Budget 2015: Northern Ireland politicians mixed in Budget reaction

The reaction from Northern Ireland's politicians to George Osborne's Budget has been varied

Nationalist parties have been highly critical of the chancellor's Budget.

A more positive response has come from the unionist parties.

But the DUP has expressed concerns about the lowering of the benefits cap outside London and changes to tax credits.

In the House of Commons, DUP MP Sammy Wilson said the DUP welcomed "many of the aspirations" in the budget, including commitments to growth and to make work pay.

But on the plan to have a higher benefits cap in London than elsewhere, he said: "I believe that is the first step towards regionalisation of benefits, and that will be detrimental to those of us who represent poorer regions of the UK.

"Had there been a universal reduction of the cap we could have considered giving support to it, but we certainly cannot give support to this."

Mr Wilson also said the government could not "pussyfoot around any longer" with the nationalist parties who were blocking the welfare reform bill.

Sustainable

Sinn Féin said the Budget would usher in cuts targeted against the most vulnerable in society.

MLA Conor Murphy said it was "a direct attack on low-paid workers, families, those struggling to survive, frontline public services and our political institutions".

He added: "Instead of further austerity, we need workable and sustainable finances for the executive and powers to grow and develop our economy."

The SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said he was disappointed that George Osborne made little reference to Northern Ireland in the Budget.

"The chancellor seems to be operating on the basis that cutting welfare spending and increasing the personal tax allowance will drive people into work," he said.

"The missing step in this logic is that our problem in Northern Ireland is a lack of work for people to seek."

Elements

Ulster Unionist Danny Kinahan said he welcomed extra money for the National Health Service and the cut in corporation tax.

But the South Antrim MP added: "We need to see just how many families will be affected by the capping of household benefits at £20,000 outside of London."

He also expressed concern about the impact of the planned national living wage on small businesses.

Alliance MLA Stephen Farry said some elements of the budget would be beneficial.

The drop in the rate of corporation tax "will make any localised alternative more affordable", he said.

"However, the steep and severe cuts to welfare spending will hit Northern Ireland particularly hard, given the profile of our population."