Speeches by Benn.

“Well, I look forward to seeing the result of that, too.”

“Do you mean a way of calculating it?”

“It is a very fair question. It was £32 million for a whole load of years, so I do not know what criteria that revealed. All I know is that, when I came into this job, it had been stuck there for a long time, and we have given the PSNI an increase. That is the criterion—I thought it should have more money and we managed…”

“In the end, we have to find changes that are capable of commanding a consensus. I think all of us know that.”

“The criteria for what?”

“I don’t think one is relying on the additional security funding to keep the PSNI going. It spends that money on a number of things, including operational capability, in some cases closed protection, site security, specialist capabilities and terrorist investigations—the kind of things you would expect it to be using th…”

“As I have just indicated, I have talked about this in my most recent discussions with a number of the party leaders, because I am very aware of the challenge that you raised and the part that the Secretary of State may be able to play; but it also requires partners on the other side of the conversation. Part of the pro…”

“I have not seen the detail. What did he say was disjointed?”

“It is in recognition of the security situation in Northern Ireland. It has been provided over a number of years. It was higher in the past. It was then at £32 million from 2015-16 through to 2024-25. When this Government were elected, we took the decision to increase the amount, which is why it is at £37.8 million now.…”

“Of course, gladly.”

“I will have to write to you about that, because I am not represented on it. I cannot recall having seen something about it, but can I provide you with some further information? The perm sec is otherwise engaged today given current events, but otherwise she would be able to answer your question. I am sorry.”

“If I may deal with that, there is not actually an underspend. It is a bit complicated, so excuse me as I read this out from my notes so that I get it right. “The NIO manages the cash drawdown for the Executive. The Executive have both a budget, which is authority to spend, and a cash requirement, which is the actual mo…”

“Sometimes, the wheels of government take time to churn. Especially when it comes to funding, there are particular fiscal events—to use the jargon—when you have an opportunity. We were successful in putting in a bid, which resulted in the £16.5 million.”

“It has raised the profile of the opportunities for trade right across the UK as a whole. It was the implementation of a commitment arising from “Safeguarding the Union”. We have now provided some funding to Intertrade UK so it can take its work forward. It is planning to run a series of events. Some people look at trad…”

“Under the current power-sharing arrangement, that is true. We have seen the history, of one and then the other party choosing to collapse the Executive. I am saying that we have come to the end of the road with that, because how on earth would anyone now justify collapsing the Executive, given that 40% of the time ther…”

“I got that quite recently. I will, of course, respond to it and you will see what I say when I respond to the letter that I received. I think we are in agreement that periods of collapse are hopeless for what we are discussing. I think that we have come to the end of the road regarding collapse.”

“I will kick off. The stability, notwithstanding the difference of view a moment ago, is an important foundation. I have just given some of the statistics for how the economy in Northern Ireland is faring, which is certainly encouraging. On the funding that I identified in answer to the first question put to me, I shoul…”

“On that, you and I will probably disagree. The point I was making is that if you look at the Northern Ireland economy, which is the foundation of the prosperity, it is one of the strongest parts of the UK economy. As you know, economic activity was up 2.9% over the year to quarter three. It has the lowest unemployment.…”

“There is an important discussion on the extent to which any reform would make the Executive more likely to take the kind of decisions that we have just discussed. My view—we might come on to this later—is that I am very happy, of course, to look at proposals for reform and what can be brought forward that is capable of…”

“The Government are supporting Northern Ireland through the four city deals, the local innovation partnerships fund, an enhanced investment zone and greater economic stability. Economic activity in Northern Ireland increased by 2.9% over the year to quarter 3, and it has the lowest unemployment in the UK.”