Debate contribution: Public-sector Pay: Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Report
Debate contribution by Mr John O'Dowd on .
- MLA
- Mr John O'Dowd
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 12 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Public-sector Pay: Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Report
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5786129
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The report makes an important contribution to the discussion on how fair and affordable public-sector pay awards can be delivered sustainably. In particular, it highlights the structural pressure created by the way that public services are organised and funded here, including where pay costs are not fully reflected through Barnett funding. That reinforces the need for the British Government to provide the Executive with a fair and sustainable funding settlement so that the contribution of public-sector workers can be properly recognised. I will continue to press the Government for that. Importantly, the Fiscal Council also indicated that its report is the start rather than the end of the conversation on those matters. My Department will continue to engage with it on that, and I encourage other public-sector stakeholders to do likewise.
131 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Awaiting analysis
This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.