AQO 6803/11-15

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 02/10/2014
Answered On Date: 14/10/2014
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel what discussions he has had with the Treasury regarding the consequences of the official notification that the Executive is on track to exceed its spending limits.

Answer:

HM Treasury officials indicated to DFP that they should be kept informed of any developments in regards of a DEL breach. This breach would, as stated in the Statement of Funding Policy with the Devolved Administrations, be an act of “serious financial mismanagement”.

You will be aware that the Head of the Civil Service has now written to his counterpart in HM Treasury setting out his concerns about the in-year position and the 2015-16 Budget challenges.

In addition I have now had discussions with the Chancellor about securing access to the UK Reserve in 2014-15. As a result of these

negotiations I have secured access of up to £100 million, this will be repayable in 2015-16.