NIPSA has criticised today's announcement of a further increase in MLA salaries while there is still no agreed needs-based budget and public services face significant cuts.
It is inexcusable that arrangements are being made for MLA pay in the next Assembly mandate when departments remain without a budget settlement and thousands of public sector workers are still waiting for their 2026 pay award.
The proposal comes only months after MLAs received a 27% pay increase worth more than £14,000 a year. Meanwhile, health workers, education staff and civil servants continue to face uncertainty over funding, jobs, services and pay.
NIPSA will continue to press for an agreed needs-based budget that delivers fair pay for the workers and protects public services.
Yours sincerely,
Carmel Gates,
General Secretary