AQO 6803/11-15 Oral question to the Minister of Finance and Personnel

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.

Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 2 October 2014

  • Answered
  • Oral
Tabled
2 October 2014
Answer due by
14 October 2014
Answered
14 October 201412 days after tabling
Department
Department of Finance
Priority question
No

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.

Official sources