Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Deferred
Paragraph: 83
Establish improved funding arrangements for Northern Ireland's counter-terrorism and justice budgets.
Recommendation
The Government’s contribution to additional security funding for counter-terrorism has recently stagnated despite the continuing terrorist threat, and the justice budget in Northern Ireland has risen by just 3% compared to respective increases of 70% 50 The effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland and 45% for health and education over the last 12 years. We consider this level of funding to be unsustainable and propose that improved funding arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.
Government Response Summary
The government states that policing and police funding are devolved matters for the NI Executive to determine, while confirming its existing Additional Security Funding of £32m per year until 2024/25, which is not for day-to-day policing.
Paragraph Reference:
83
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
Policing in Northern Ireland, and police funding, are devolved matters. It is for the NI Executive to determine the allocation of funding to the Police Service of Northern Ireland from the NI Executive block grant. The prioritisation of police resourcing is the responsibility of the Department of Justice, working with the wider Executive. It is an operational matter for the Chief Constable to determine how to deploy the funding allocated to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, in consultation with the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The UK Government fully supports the excellent work that the Police Service of Northern Ireland undertakes to keep people in Northern Ireland safe, often in exceptionally challenging circumstances. Recognising the unique security situation in Northern Ireland, the UK Government makes additional contributions to PSNI through Additional Security Funding. The UK Government contribution has provided a set budget each year since 2015/16. This current level of Additional Security Funding for the PSNI from the UK Government has been confirmed through to 2024/25 at £32m per year. While the threat posed by NIRT remains, the number of security incidents, bombings and shootings have significantly reduced since 2015. Additional Security Funding is solely to support PSNI’s counter terrorism work which has led to the recent reduction in threat level. Additional Security Funding is not an alternative funding mechanism to support the delivery of day to day policing which remains the responsibility of the Executive. It remains the responsibility of the Department of Justice and the Chief Constable to make spending decisions allowing the PSNI to fulfil its statutory duties and to keep communities in NI safe.