Oral Answers to Questions

Mary Glindon Excerpts

Wednesday 25th November 2015 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab)]

1. What steps she is taking to ensure that the Northern Ireland Executive’s financial position is sustainable.

[Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op)]

9. What steps she is taking to ensure that the Northern Ireland Executive’s financial position is sustainable.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mrs Theresa Villiers)]

It is for the Executive to deliver a balanced budget and sustainable finances. The Stormont House agreement and last week’s fresh start agreement set out a range of measures to help them deliver that. These include implementation of welfare reform, measures to improve efficiency in the public sector and a new independent fiscal council for Northern Ireland.

[Mary Glindon]

Following the welcome agreement between Northern Ireland parties and the British and Irish Governments last week, how confident is the Secretary of State that the Executive’s budget can be put on a sustainable footing, allowing a greater focus on value for money and public service delivery?

[Mrs Villiers]

I am confident about those matters. Earlier this week, the House passed the welfare reform proposals needed to apply welfare reform in Northern Ireland, which will make a huge difference to financial sustainability, and which also made progress in the House of Lords yesterday.