About the Programme for Government
The Executive’s over-arching aim is to build a peaceful, fair and prosperous society. To ensure that Government is clearly focused on achieving that aim, the Executive has set out in the Programme for Government five key strategic and interdependent priorities as follows:
- Growing a Dynamic, Innovative Economy
- Promote Tolerance, Inclusion and Health and Well-Being
- Protect and Enhance Our Environment and Natural Resources
- Invest to Build Our Infrastructure
- Deliver Modern High Quality and Efficient Public Services
The Programme for Government highlights the key goals and actions the Executive will take to drive forward the priority areas. It includes a detailed Public Service Agreement Framework which sets out the actions and targets departments will take in support of the Executive’s priorities.
About the Budget
The Budget provides the Executive with an opportunity to improve the lives of people in Northern Ireland by allocating resources to high priority areas and where the additional funds will yield the greatest benefit. It also provides an opportunity to assess if spending in certain areas should be continued or whether or not these resources would be of greater benefit to the public if spent elsewhere.
The spending plans of NI departments for the period 2008-09 to 2010-11 were first set as part of the NI Executive Budget 2008-11 process with final plans agreed by the Executive and the Assembly in January 2008.
In the summer of 2009 the Finance Minister initiated a review of the 2010-11 spending plans of departments in light of changing circumstances and the emerging pressures facing the Executive for the 2010-11 financial year. The revised 2010-11 spending plans for NI departments were agreed by the Executive and the Assembly in April 2010.
The NI Executive is currently working to develop spending plans for the years 2011-12 to 2014-15 as part of the Budget 2010 process. The most significant issue impacting on the level of resources available for allocation will be the share of total public expenditure allocated to Northern Ireland by the Treasury.
Although the outcome of the UK wide 2010 Spending Review is due to be announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 20 October 2010, the latest forecasts for UK public spending included in the emergency Budget 2010 on 22 June 2010 suggest that there will be a real terms reduction in the funding available to the NI Executive over the next four years with an even greater decline in respect of capital investment. Therefore local departments will need to deliver significant levels of additional savings in order to address cost pressures and fund improvements in public services.
In this context, NI departments have been asked to produce Budget 2010 spending proposals by the end of July 2010 for consideration by the Executive. The draft Budget 2010 document will be published for consultation in the autumn, shortly after the 2010 Spending Review has concluded. In addition, departments will also publish draft Savings Delivery Plans setting out where they intend to make savings and how they will be delivered.
The intention is that the Budget 2010 process will be completed by the start of 2011 as reflected in the outline timetable set out below.
Outline Timetable for Budget 2010 Process
| Activity | Timing |
|---|---|
| Departments to begin work on plans to deliver savings | April 2010 |
| Guidance issued to departments in respect of Budget 2010 process | Mid June |
| Guidance issued to departments in respect of Savings Delivery Plans | End June |
| Pre-Consultation exercise with key stakeholders. | July- early August |
| Budget 2010 departmental returns sent to DFP – Departments proposed spending plans including linkages to Programme for Government. | End July |
| Ministerial bi-laterals | August – early September |
| Draft proposals to Executive for consideration | September |
| 2010 Spending Review outcome announced by HMT | 20 October |
| Draft Budget published for consultation as well as Savings Delivery Plans. | End October |
| Public Consultation Process on the draft Budget. | End October to early December |
| Revised Budget proposals to Finance Minister for consideration | Early December |
| Revised Budget proposals to the Executive for consideration | Mid December |
| Final Budget document published | Late December |
About the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland (ISNI)
The Investment Strategy identifies priority areas for investment in the years ahead, helps stakeholders in public, private and voluntary sector partners plan for the challenge of delivering the largest ever infrastructure programme.
More information on the Investment Strategy can be found on the Strategic Investment Board's website at the link below.
Consultation on the draft EQIA carried out at a strategic level on the Programme for Government, Budget and Investment Strategy.
The Consultation process on the draft Equality Impact Assessment carried out at a strategic level ended on 23 April 2008.
Responses to the consultation are available on request. Please see the list of available pfg pubnlications below for details.
A consultation report on the process will follow.
Latest publications
For all the latest reports published please see links below.
- Revised 2010 – 2011 Spending Plans (PDF 386 KB)
- The Programme for Government Delivery Report 1 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 (PDF 808KB)
- The Programme for Government Delivery Report 1 April 2008 - 30 September 2009 (PDF 1.61MB)
A further list of all available PFG publications can be found at the link below.
If you would like to receive an electronic or hard copy of any report listed please use the contact information below.
email: webupdatesEIS.OFMDFM@ofmdfmni.gov.uk
phone: 028 9037 8201
Contact us
If you would like more information or have any questions on the Programme for Government you can use the contact details below.
Economic Policy UnitOFMDFM
Rm E3.18
Castle Buildings
Stormont Belfast
BT4 3SR
Tel:(028) 9052 0093
email: pfgbudget@nics.gov.uk
