SR2002/NIO
15 July 2002
Northern Ireland Office receives substantial new resources
The Government’s commitment to the political process in Northern Ireland was reinforced today by the Chancellor’s announcement that the Northern Ireland Office will receive significant new resources to take forward policing and criminal justice reforms. The Northern Ireland Office’s budget will grow at an annual average rate of 3.5 per cent after inflation over the three years to 2005?06 (excluding the exceptional programme costs of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry and police early severance). This is in addition to the resources the Northern Ireland Executive will receive for its programmes.
The extra resources will help the Northern Ireland Office to honour its Good Friday Agreement pledges so that a lasting and secure peace is maintained and consolidated in Northern Ireland.
In particular, the additional resources of some £58 million to existing plans in 2003-04, £91 million in 2004?05 and £140 million in 2005?06 are aimed at securing:
- the continued implementation of the Patten reforms;
- a police service which is fully inclusive, modern, effective and, above all, enjoys the growing support and trust of both traditions in Northern Ireland;
- a system of justice which is demonstrably independent, fair, responsive and also has the growing widespread support and trust of both traditions in Northern Ireland;
- programmes to prevent and to tackle crime and re-offending;
- a humane and effective prison service;
- an environment in which the rights and traditions of everyone living in Northern Ireland is esteemed and robustly protected; and
- adequate resources for the Bloody Sunday Inquiry;
In commenting on the Northern Ireland Office’s settlement, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr John Reid said:
“I welcome this announcement of additional resources for the Northern Ireland Office and for the people of Northern Ireland who are overwhelmingly committed to the path of peace and prosperity. We will use the extra resources to continue to honour our Good Friday Agreement pledges and demonstrate our commitment to the peace process.
“As evidenced in the Chancellor’s 1998 Special Initiative for Northern Ireland and the recent launch of the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative in May, the Chancellor of the Exchequer continues to invest in the Northern Ireland peace process. I would hope everyone in Northern Ireland could respond as positively.
“With these extra resources of nearly £300 million, I will now plan ahead in order to provide Northern Ireland with a fully inclusive world class police service and a fair and open system of justice for the twenty-first century – both of which will secure the respect and growing trust of all the people of Northern Ireland.”
Notes for editors
The Northern Ireland Office will receive additional resources as follows:
| £ million | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
| Northern Ireland Office | ||||
| Resource Budget | 1,143 | 1,088 | 1,128 | 1,162 |
| Capital Budget | 60 | 64 | 57 | 72 |
| Total Departmental Expenditure Limit¹ | 1,170 | 1,114 | 1,144 | 1,190 |
| Near-cash spending in NIO DEL² | 1,151 | 1,083 | 1,109 | 1,150 |
¹Full resource budgeting basis, net of depreciation. | ||||
²Consistent with previous control basis. | ||||
Excluding the exceptional programme costs of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry and early police severance, the average annual growth in the Northern Ireland Office’s budget will be 3.5 per cent on 2002-03 provision and compares favourably with other departments.
The Government conducted a comprehensive review of public services - the Comprehensive Spending Review - in 1998. The 2000 Spending Review built on this by setting targets and allocating resources for the three years to 2003-04. The 2002 Spending Review revises these plans for 2003-04 and outlines new plans for 2004-05 and 2005-06.
For further details please contact the Northern Ireland Office Press Office on 07693 654321 (Duty Officer 07884 490658) or visit the Northern Ireland Office website at www.nio.gov.uk.