Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to his announcement of 19 March 2021 on Twitter on Victims' Payments, from which New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) priorities outlined in Annexe A funding is planned to be drawn; and how much funding he plans to be drawn from total NDNA funding to meet that commitment.

The New Decade, New Approach deal provided the restored Executive with a £2bn financial package that delivers for the people of Northern Ireland. This included £140m to be allocated to address Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances.

£40m of this funding has already been earmarked for various projects in conjunction with the Executive. To enable the Executive to begin implementing the Troubles Permanent Disablement Scheme, I have agreed with the Treasury that the Executive will be able to access the remaining £100m NDNA funding earmarked for Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances.

This flexibility will substantially reduce the costs in those years where costs are more significant. There is nothing standing in the way of the Executive delivering the scheme as set out in legislation.