Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Third Report - The funding and delivery of public services in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
HC 46
Published 26 March 2024
Recommendations
5
Accepted
Para 36
Publish future UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation scope for NI public bodies.
Recommendation
The delivery and timing of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) caused considerable distress and uncertainty in the sector, particularly the decision to communicate the outcome of applications on the day European Social Funding ceased. The Government has announced that …
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Government Response Summary
The government has announced that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be extended for 2025-26 at a reduced level of £900 million. Regional, nation-level, and local allocations will be confirmed and published on gov.uk as soon as possible.
Northern Ireland Office
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7
Accepted
Para 46
Mandate Northern Ireland Executive to commit to multi-year budgetary settlements for public services.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to multi-year spending reviews every two years, starting Spring 2025, and expects the Northern Ireland Executive to return to multi-year budgets following this. It also clarifies that the NIE can already carry forward underspends via the Budget Exchange system, and reiterates commitment to ongoing Fiscal Framework discussions.
Northern Ireland Office
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8
Accepted
Para 47
Clarify Government's evaluation and monitoring of NI fiscal sustainability plan implementation.
Recommendation
We are pleased to see reference to the publication and implementation of a fiscal sustainability plan as part of the settlement between the Government and Executive, which will include detail on long-term budget planning. It is noted that there is …
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Government Response Summary
The government clarifies that the £559 million debt will be written off if the Executive balances its 2024-25 budget and raises £113m revenue from 2025/26, with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury confirming this if conditions are met, thus outlining the monitoring of the conditionality.
Northern Ireland Office
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