Recommendation 7

Single-year budgets and a lack of an agreed Programme for Government have not allowed for long-term thinking and planning for public services and spending in Northern Ireland over recent years. We urge the Executive to commit to returning to multi-year budgetary settlements following the next UK Spending Review as part of its sustainability plan. Even under multi-year budgets, however, Northern Ireland departments are unable to take forward surpluses. We urge the Executive to commit to returning to multi-year budgetary settlements following the next UK Spending Review as part of its sustainability plan. Even under multi-year budgets, however, Northern Ireland departments are unable to take forward surpluses. This matter should be included as part of the upcoming Fiscal Framework discussions between the Government and Northern Ireland Executive.