Sinn Féin’s USC Plan vs Government Pushback | Belfast News

Sinn Féin unveils a bold €1.5 billion tax plan to slash the cost of living, targeting the Universal Social Charge for earners under €40,000 — a move they claim hits more people than the government’s income tax proposals. Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty criticizes last year’s budget for favoring banks and developers while neglecting workers and disabled people, citing billions in profits with minimal tax paid. Taoiseach Micheál Martin pushes back, warning USC abolition would cripple public services and ignore the real source of income tax relief. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald doubles down, pledging a family-focused alternative budget with energy credits and affordable childcare. Finance Minister Simon Harris dismisses energy credits as short-term, urging structural solutions instead. Sinn Féin plans to unveil their full budget proposal in late September or early October, just before the government’s own announcement. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5441561c228f92ad