Debate contribution: Public-sector Pay: Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Report

Debate contribution by Dr Steve Aiken OBE on 12 October 2026.

MLA: Dr Steve Aiken OBE
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 12 October 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Public-sector Pay: Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Report
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5786131

Text

I thank the Minister for his answer. The Minister will be aware that, when the Treasury came to do the open-book exercise, one issue that was raised was the cost of providing public services in Northern Ireland compared with the costs in England and Wales. The Fiscal Council report looked quite closely at those differences, finding that some services were around 30% more expensive to deliver in Northern Ireland than in England and Wales, despite delivering less than those delivered in England and Wales. Is the Minister looking at doing any proper research on those issues, so that we can either better fight our case or look for efficiencies where we need them? Either way, the work needs to be done.

121 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 4075/22-27.

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