Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Mary Glindon and Theresa Villiers(9 years ago)
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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.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Mary Glindon and Theresa Villiers(9 years, 1 month ago)
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Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab)
12. Last week a police recruitment event that was due to take place at the Waterfoot hotel was cancelled because of a bomb being discovered in the grounds. What work is under way to ensure that the PSNI receives the appropriate support to tackle any potential threat?
Mrs Villiers
Over the past two spending reviews we have provided an additional £231 million to support the PSNI in its efforts to tackle dissident republican-related terrorism. That has provided vital support in a campaign against those terrorists and it is one of the reasons why, thankfully, the vast majority of the attacks do not succeed. I know that the PSNI will work hard to find alternative venues so that its recruitment event can go ahead.