Overview

This bill grants the UK Secretary of State the power to set salaries and benefits for Northern Ireland Assembly Members during periods when the Northern Ireland Executive is not functioning. This ensures continued payment to Assembly members during periods of political instability.

Description

This bill, the Northern Ireland Assembly Members (Pay) Bill, addresses the issue of MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) remuneration during periods without a functioning Northern Ireland Executive. Specifically:

• Secretary of State's Power: The Secretary of State is given the authority to determine salaries and allowances payable to MLAs under sections 47 and 48 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. This covers situations where there is no Executive in place.
• Time Limit: This power is temporary; it ends when all Ministerial offices are filled again. Any determination made before this point remains valid.
• Determination Process: Determinations must be in writing, sent to the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, and publicly published by the Commission.
• Interaction with 2011 Act: The bill interacts with the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, specifically regarding the content of salary determinations and pension calculations.
• Definition of "No Executive": The bill clearly defines a "period when there is no Executive" as the time between the bill's passing and the next occasion when all ministerial posts are filled, and any subsequent periods when the absence of an Executive is triggered by Section 32(3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Government Spending

The bill itself doesn't specify exact figures for MLA salaries and allowances. The impact on government spending will depend on the Secretary of State's determinations and the duration of periods without a functioning Executive. The cost will be borne by the UK Government's budget for Northern Ireland.

Groups Affected

The main groups affected are:

• MLAs: Their salaries and allowances during periods without an Executive will be determined by the Secretary of State.
• UK Government: Responsible for funding MLA salaries and allowances during the periods specified in the bill.
• Northern Ireland Assembly Commission: Responsible for publishing the Secretary of State's determinations.
• Taxpayers (UK): Ultimately bear the financial cost of MLA remuneration in these circumstances.

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