Asked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on funding for public sector pay awards in Northern Ireland; and whether she has allocated funding to ensure parity in pay offers for public sector workers in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
As a result of decisions taken at Autumn Budget 2024 and Phase 1 of Spending Review 2025, the Northern Ireland Executive is receiving £15.6 billion block grant funding in 2024-25 and £18.2 billion in 2025-26. Funding in 2025-26 represents the largest real-terms settlement since devolution, and the Northern Ireland Executive (NIE) is being funded above its independently assessed relative need level of 124% in 2024-25 and 2025-26, including the 2024 restoration financial package.
The NIE is responsible for deciding how to allocate its funding across its devolved responsibilities, including the provision of pay awards for public sector workers.
Asked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to reverse the proposed tax changes to (a) agricultural property relief and (b) business property relief on family-owned (i) farms and (ii) businesses.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government set out its policy at Autumn Budget 2024 and that remains the Government’s policy.
Asked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of adding a photograph to National Insurance cards issued at the age of 16 to provide photographic identification.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC is responsible for issuing National Insurance Numbers (NINos) to the children of people receiving Child Benefit and Tax-Free Childcare . As a young person approaches age 16, HMRC informs them of their NINo via a letter. Cards have not been sent since 2011. The NINo is an internal reference number to support the administration of tax and social security; not proof of identity.
Asked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief on family-owned farms in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the rest of the UK; and what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to help ensure the (i) sustainability and (ii) generational continuity of agricultural businesses in (A) regions where farming is a part of the local economy and heritage and (B) other areas.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government has published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms, and further explanatory information at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-are-the-changes-to-agricultural-property-relief.
In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.
Agricultural land and associated buildings are exempt from business rates.
At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government provided £5 billion across this year and next to support the ongoing transition towards a more productive and environmentally sustainable agricultural sector in England. This will strengthen the domestic sector, and improve food security.
The devolved governments’ settlements for 2025-26 are the largest in real terms of any settlements since devolution.
Asked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of raising the personal tax allowance to £15,000.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The previous government announced the Personal Allowance would be maintained at its current level of £12,570 until April 2028.
The government must ensure the tax system supports strong public finances. Sound fiscal policy is key to economic stability and, ultimately, growth, which is vital to keeping taxes as low as possible whilst continuing to deliver excellent public services.
Asked by: Alex Easton (Independent - North Down)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will provide additional funding to the PSNI for training new recruits.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Northern Ireland Executive (NIE) receives Barnett consequentials on spending on policing and justice by the UK Government in England and Wales. Any Barnett consequentials in 2024-25 are subject to a 24% needs-based uplift, to reflect the higher level of relative need in Northern Ireland, as identified by the independent Northern Ireland Fiscal Council.
In addition, the UK Government provides ringfenced Additional Security Funding for the Police Service of Northern Ireland each year to help address Northern Ireland’s specific security challenges. Decisions on future non-Barnett funding for the Northern Ireland Executive will be taken at future spending reviews.
Policing and justice are devolved responsibilities of the NIE. The allocation of funding for the PSNI is a decision for the NIE, the NIE Department of Finance and the NIE Department of Justice.