Administration and Financial Provisions Bill: comparative perspective on Consolidated Fund advance limits for civil contingencies

Synopsis: This Briefing Paper - commissioned by the Assembly’s Committee for Finance - aims to support the Committee’s ongoing scrutiny of the introduced Administration and Financial Provisions Bill. The Paper considers Clause 18 of the Bill, which if enacted as introduced would amend the current statutory limit on Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund advances for civil contingencies. It first addresses use of the current limit in Northern Ireland; and follows with use of comparable statutory limits in Scotland and Wales.

Date: 13 November 2025