Northern Ireland civil service pay talks stalled until budget confirmed

Low-paid workers will have their wages increased to the Real Living Wage level of £10.90 an hour or £21,053 a year

Stormont civil servants have been told that 2023 pay award negotiations cannot start until the government provides clarity on Northern Ireland's budget.

Unions are still in dispute about the 2022 pay award, which was far below the rate of inflation for most staff.

It comes with the government and parties in the midst of talks over a £2.5bn financial package if devolution is restored.

The package includes £600m for public sector pay.

However the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which has been boycotting power-sharing government in protest against post-Brexit trade rules, has ruled out the prospect of a deal before Christmas.

The senior official in the Department of Finance has told staff a pay deal is "at the top of our priorities".

In a memo to staff Neil Gibson, the permanent secretary at the Department of Finance, said: 'You will be aware of the current political talks that are ongoing.

There have been a series of strike in the public sector this year over below-inflation pay offers

'Public sector pay is a significant aspect of those talks.

"We all hope these can conclude successfully and provide clarity on the way forward for NI Civil Service pay as well as for our public sector colleagues."

Mr Gibson acknowledged the difficulties some civil servants were facing, saying: "I know staff are struggling with the cost of living, I know certain parts of our service are facing retention difficulties and I know the uncertainty about pay creates difficulties for colleagues in planning their finances."

Official figures suggest that typical public sector pay in Northern Ireland fell by more than 7% in real terms last year due to the impact of inflation.

There has been widespread industrial action across public service in Northern Ireland in protest at below-inflation pay settlements.