NEW ASSEMBLY MEMBERS (REMUNERATION BOARD) BILL TO BE INTRODUCED IN ASSEMBLY
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 04 February 2025
Reference: AC 01/24/25
The Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill will be introduced in the Northern Ireland Assembly today. The new Bill proposes the establishment of an independent Remuneration Board to determine MLA salaries and pensions and sets out how the Board will operate. This will provide successor arrangements for the previous Independent Financial Review Panel.
Speaking before the introduction of the Bill, a Spokesperson for the Assembly Commission said: “The Assembly passed a resolution in June 2020 that set out that the salaries and pensions of MLAs should continue to be determined independently while giving the Assembly Commission the responsibility to determine MLA allowances going forward.”
The Spokesperson continued: “Following this decision, the Assembly Commission did not think it appropriate to give Assembly time to completing the necessary legislative measures in this area, particularly during the pandemic and following the immediate restoration of Assembly business in 2024.
“However, in introducing this new Bill today, the Assembly Commission has taken the first step towards ensuring that the statute book reflects the position previously agreed by the Assembly. It will provide for the independent oversight in relation to Members’ salaries and pensions to continue.”
The Spokesperson concluded: “The Bill will create a new independent Remuneration Board, and sets out the detail underpinning it, including that it will have independent membership, to take independent decisions on the appropriate level for the salaries and pensions of Members.
“The Assembly Commission looks forward to engaging with Members on the detail of the Bill as it makes its way through the legislative scrutiny process.”
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- The Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill will be available to read herein due course.
- The Assembly voted to agree a resolution on the 30 June 2020 to bring responsibility for allowances back to the Assembly Commission. The full debate can be viewedhere and the Official Report read here
- The Independent Financial Review Panel was established in July 2011 by the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 to make Determinations in relation to the salaries, allowances and pensions payable to members of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The terms of appointment of the first Independent Financial Review Panel appointed in July 2011, ended on 1 July 2016.
- The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission is the body corporate of the Northern Ireland Assembly. It has the responsibility, under section 40(4) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, to provide the Assembly, or ensure that the Assembly is provided with the property, staff and services required for the Assembly to carry out its work. Further information about the work, remit and membership of the Assembly Commission can be found here:
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