Sinn Féin’s Martina Anderson MEP has expressed concern over the future of rural development funding for the north following the circulation of draft EU budget proposals.

Martina Anderson said: "Once again the British Government has accepted a reduction in its rural development payments

"Draft figures released by the commission show that the British government has agreed to a 2% allocation of total funding, a decrease on present levels of over €43million by 2020.

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"The failure of the British government to push for higher levels of funding is in line with its agenda of cuts to the EU budget and its refusal to contribute match funding for rural development. This will result in severe pressure on rural projects in the North.

"It will have devastating impacts for communities who rely on this funding to modernise and plan for the future.

"Sinn Féin has fought against the austerity policies of the British and Irish governments as well as at European level and will continue to do so. This is another attack on communities that are already suffering economic hardships.

"While these are only draft figures, it is a worrying signal and I sincerely hope to see a shift in British government and commission thinking before the final allocations are decided."

(CD/MH)