Wilson moves to halt bonus payments to senior public servants

Senior public servants should not receive bonuses as a matter of right in the current economic environment, according to Finance Minister Sammy Wilson.

He was speaking after the Executive approved proposals to widen the restraint on senior officials’ pay and bonuses to the public sector in Northern Ireland. This follows his recent announcement that Mr Wilson would not permit the payment of bonuses, and would cap pay uplifts, within the core Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS).

The Minister said: “Last month I announced that, due to significant pressures on public finances and difficulties within the local economy, it would be inappropriate to award senior civil servants bonus payments this year.

“At that time I signalled my intention to examine bonus payments in the wider public sector and bring proposals forward to the Executive addressing this issue.

“Today I can announce that the settlement imposed on the senior civil service will now extend to senior staff in the wider public service as well."

Today’s move comes after the Executive approved the Minister’s proposal that senior officials’ pay and bonuses in the public sector should be brought into line with the NICS.

The Minister concluded: “This announcement ensures that no senior officials within the wider service will obtain bonuses unless there is a previous, legally-enforceable contractual entitlement. In these cases, the Executive agreed to look for ways to move away from such entitlements.

“In addition, I can announce that my officials will be reviewing all such pay and bonus proposals across the wider public sector locally to ensure compliance with this policy decision.”

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