To ask the Minister of Finance (i) for an update on the current position on the Northern Ireland Civil Service Pay Claim; (ii) what proposals are currently being considered; and (iii) when outcomes are expected.

Consultation is underway in respect of the 2022/25 Draft Budget, which includes the Public Sector Pay Policy. The consultation closes on 7 March. The final decisions on Public Sector Pay Policy will set the parameters of public sector pay negotiations here, including for the Civil Service. No pay claim has been received from any of the recognised trade unions in respect of Civil Service pay for 2022 at this point. The Pay Award for the civil service is not due until August 2022 and it will be important to ensure that sufficient time is afforded for negotiations to take place.