Debate contribution: Public-sector Pay Rise

Debate contribution by Mr Matthew O'Toole on 19 October 2026.

MLA: Mr Matthew O'Toole
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 19 October 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Public-sector Pay Rise
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5795705

Text

At a time when public-sector workers and everybody else are having to fill up their cars and heat their homes while paying crushing energy prices, they need clarity. As the Opposition, we agree that the Executive should get the maximum funding from the British Government — we have never quibbled with that — but it is true that, if you do not agree a Budget, the British Government, who, the Executive agree, do not prioritise this place, could well set a punishment Budget, and there will not be any pay rise at all. Do you and the Executive have any responsibility to those public-sector workers to ensure that they get paid?

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 2711/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

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