91Èȱ¬

Most people in Northern Ireland fear the proposed round of public spending cuts could lead to job losses within their household, according to a new opinion poll conducted for 91Èȱ¬ Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme.

But while the public seems deeply concerned about the cuts hitting them at home, more than half agreed they are necessary.

Those findings, and other results of the opinion poll, will be explored during Spotlight – The Spending Review, a special hour-long programme to be broadcast on Tuesday 12 October on 91Èȱ¬ One Northern Ireland, at 10.35pm.

Chancellor George Osborne is due to announce the outcome of the Government's spending review on 20 October. Ministers have already signalled the review could lead to £2bn worth of spending cuts over the next four years in Northern Ireland.

Spotlight – The Spending Review will examine and analyse the potential effects of reduced public spending here.

Hosts Mark Carruthers and Declan Curry will be joined by politicians, including Finance Minister Sammy Wilson, experts and more than 100 members of the public.

Together, they will discuss where the cuts could have the greatest impact on an economy that largely depends on public spending.

The opinion poll, commissioned by the programme, found 55% of the 1,029 respondents agreed that public spending cuts are necessary to deal with the current economic situation. A total of 28% disagreed, with 15% strongly disagreeing.

However, there were varying differences of opinion on the need for cuts across religion, age and socio-economic background.

A large majority – 65% – also said they are concerned that they or someone else in their household could become unemployed as a result of the proposed cuts. That includes 35% who said they are very concerned. Just 16% said they are not concerned at all.

The poll also examined whether people are willing to pay water charges from next year to help protect front line services and which Stormont department, if any, they would like to protect from any reduction in spending, if one department could be shielded.

The poll for Spotlight – The Spending Review was conducted by MillwardBrown Ulster between 23 September and 4 October.

Face to face interviews were carried out with 1,029 people across Northern Ireland.

Spotlight – The Spending Review is on Tuesday 12 October, 91Èȱ¬ One Northern Ireland, at 10.35pm.

Notes to Editors

The question concerning potential unemployment within the household has a smaller sample (780 people). This is because the answer includes only respondents who were economically active.

CC