To ask the Minister of Finance (i) for an update on the pay negotiations with the Northern Ireland Civil Service; (ii) to detail the reasons for the delay in the awarding of a pay award; (iii) to detail the conversations he has had with NIPSA regarding this issue; and (iv) to detail the most recent pay rise offer he has made to Civil Service employees.

Formal negotiations with recognised Trades Unions in relation to the Civil Service 2020 pay award are underway. Most recently, my officials met unions on 19 March. I also met unions on 22 March and further meetings will be scheduled over coming weeks. I am unable to provide any detail while negotiations are ongoing, however we will keep staff informed of progress through pay bulletins, which will be published on the Civil Service pay website.

However, the Executive has agreed a pay offer and although it is not possible to provide a timeline, I hope that discussions on this issue can be brought to a conclusion in the very near future. Staff due to receive an increase under the terms of any pay award will receive any arrears backdated to 1 August 2020.