Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has stated that while the UK Government's new legacy legislation shows significant progress, it requires adequate funding to be successfully delivered for victims and survivors across Northern Ireland.

Ms Bradshaw acknowledged that in several areas, the government's new proposals are a "notable improvement" on the approach taken by the previous administration.

"We particularly welcome removal of the Troubles amnesty, resumption of inquests, and the range of confidence-building measures in the design and conduct of legacy investigations, and we hope these measures will provide some degree of comfort to victims and survivors," she said. However, the Alliance representative warned that the positive work could be "fatally undermined" unless the UK Government drastically rethinks its approach to funding the legacy system in Northern Ireland. She argued that the Department of Justice's budget is already severely strained and cannot absorb the additional costs of implementing the new proposals without corresponding funding. Ms Bradshaw stressed that: "Delivering truth and justice for all simply cannot be done on the cheap."

A further major concern highlighted by the Alliance spokesperson is the continued existence of a national security veto over the disclosure of sensitive information to families. Ms Bradshaw stated that the parameters of this veto are "incredibly broad," and its inclusion within the legacy infrastructure will maintain a fear that some actors might be granted a status above the law.

She concluded by noting that significant progress has been made by the Secretary of State and that the new suite of proposals has substantial potential for victims, provided the issues surrounding funding and information disclosure are urgently addressed. Alliance will continue to engage with the Secretary of State as the Legacy Bill moves through Westminster.