Budget Sustainability Plan 2024-10-23
2024-10-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The Northern Ireland Executive published a budget sustainability plan. This plan aims to ensure sustainable public finances.
I note the publication of the Northern Ireland Executive's budget sustainability plan, which is a positive step towards financial stability. Has the Secretary of State had discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on this plan?
I welcome the publication of the Northern Ireland Executive's budget sustainability plan—a positive and necessary step towards sustainable public finances—and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has agreed with the Northern Ireland Finance Minister that discussions over a long-term fiscal framework for Northern Ireland can now begin.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
People in Northern Ireland face the longest waiting lists for healthcare in the UK. The government needs to take steps to address this issue.
Does the Secretary of State agree that public services and the NHS need reforms to ensure sustainable finances? This is crucial given people's long waiting times for health care.
I share my hon. Friend's view. People in Northern Ireland face the longest waiting lists in the whole United Kingdom, and all Governments, including the Northern Ireland Executive, have to balance the money coming in and the funds that they can raise, and take decisions about public service reform.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The European Convention on Human Rights is part of the Good Friday Agreement. It has been suggested that leaving it could impact Northern Ireland's financial stability.
What are the implications for Northern Ireland's finances and devolved government if the UK were to leave the European convention on human rights?
Given that the European convention on human rights is one of the foundations of the Good Friday agreement, I am frankly astonished that anyone who aspires to lead His Majesty's Opposition should suggest that our country should leave the ECHR. It would be utterly irresponsible.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific question about leaving the ECHR and its implications for financial stability was not directly addressed.
Criticism Of Opposition
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
It is vital that the Northern Ireland Executive ensure they have sustainable finances, which includes revenue raising efforts.
Revenue raising by the Executive has an important role in ensuring financial sustainability and stability. Does he agree?
I do. Indeed, raising £113 million was part of the deal that the last Government put in place as part of the £3.3 billion package that led to the restoration—well, that followed the restoration of the Executive.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Public services in Northern Ireland are facing significant challenges, including crumbling roads, long waiting lists for health care, and schools needing investment.
Does the Secretary of State agree that our public services face a crisis? We need to receive fair long-term funding based on Treasury needs. Is he making the case for this with the Treasury?
Northern Ireland's greater spending needs are recognised. The Northern Ireland Fiscal Council was established to answer the question of what that additional funding should be, and it came to the conclusion that the figure should be 124%, which will be met this year in respect of the budget.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about making the case for fair long-term funding allocation was not directly answered.
Acknowledgment
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The budget resources for the Justice Minister are short, preventing sufficient recruitment of PSNI officers. This is a concern given recent disorder.
Does he agree that the police service in Northern Ireland needs more funding? Has he had discussions with the Justice Minister to resolve this issue?
As the hon. Member will be aware, decisions about the allocation of the Northern Ireland budget rest with the Northern Ireland Executive. Funds go to the Justice Minister, who then decides principally how much to pass on to the policing board for policing costs and how much to deal with the justice system and the prisons.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about discussions with the Justice Minister was not directly answered.
Acknowledgment
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The draft programme for government acknowledges low policing numbers in Northern Ireland, a situation described as dangerous by the chief constable. The draft commits to increasing numbers.
Does he agree that the current policing numbers are dangerously low? Will the budget sustainability plan be sufficient to achieve the aim of increasing those numbers?
The hon. Gentleman raises an important point, as we discussed just a moment ago. I recognise the pressures on the PSNI, but it falls to the Executive to decide how much to allocate, from the funds available to them, to policing and other public services in Northern Ireland.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about the budget sustainability plan being sufficient was not directly answered.
Acknowledgment
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
National security is a non-devolved matter. The policing numbers in Northern Ireland are at an all-time low, with national security implications.
National security being a non-devolved issue, will the Government ensure that policing in Northern Ireland is sufficient to maintain it and protect the additional security funding?
On the latter point, the hon. Gentleman just has to wait a week to see what the Budget produces. I simply say to him that the PSNI, the security services and others do an outstanding job in protecting the people of Northern Ireland from terrorist threats, and we should all support them in that endeavour.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific question about national security funding was not directly addressed.
Future Reference
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The Northern Ireland fiscal council estimates an annual shortfall of between £300 million and £400 million since 2022, with a reported £559 million overspend from 2022 to 2024.
Northern Ireland has been systemically underfunded since 2022. The fiscal council estimates an annual shortfall of between £300 million and £400 million, with a reported £559 million overspend from 2022 to 2024. What measures are the Government taking to address Northern Ireland's immediate budgetary pressures, ensure long-term financial stability and equitable funding, and guarantee sustainable public services?
In addition to the £3.3 billion package that followed the restoration of the Executive, the Executive gained £185 million in July when the main estimates were published. In order to avoid having to repay the debt, they have to put their finances on a sustainable path, deliver a balanced budget, and raise the additional £130 million revenue to which they committed when the deal was done. The fiscal council's view is that 124% is the right funding.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete measures or commitments to address immediate budgetary pressures and ensure financial stability.
Put Their Finances On A Sustainable Path
Deliver A Balanced Budget
Response accuracy