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| No bonuses for top civil servants | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Senior civil servants in Northern Ireland will not be paid any bonuses this year, it has been announced. | Senior civil servants in Northern Ireland will not be paid any bonuses this year, it has been announced. |
| Finance Minister Sammy Wilson's decision marks a break in practice with the rest of the UK. He says the move will save the taxpayer £1.1m. | Finance Minister Sammy Wilson's decision marks a break in practice with the rest of the UK. He says the move will save the taxpayer £1.1m. |
| The top 220 civil servants in NI will nevertheless receive a 3.5% increase in basic salary. | The top 220 civil servants in NI will nevertheless receive a 3.5% increase in basic salary. |
| However, Mr Wilson has frozen senior civil service pay bands at 2008 levels, with no cost of living increase. | However, Mr Wilson has frozen senior civil service pay bands at 2008 levels, with no cost of living increase. |
| The senior rank includes assistant secretary, deputy secretary and permanent secretary grades. | The senior rank includes assistant secretary, deputy secretary and permanent secretary grades. |
| It was recently revealed that the £15m paid to top civil servants in NI last year included £1.2m in bonuses. | It was recently revealed that the £15m paid to top civil servants in NI last year included £1.2m in bonuses. |
| "I know that there has been a lot of public debate and controversy about senior civil service pay generally, and bonuses in particular," said Mr Wilson. | "I know that there has been a lot of public debate and controversy about senior civil service pay generally, and bonuses in particular," said Mr Wilson. |
| "I have given this matter very careful consideration and, taking account of all the relevant factors, have decided on what I believe to be a very fair package, but one which does not include any bonus payments." | "I have given this matter very careful consideration and, taking account of all the relevant factors, have decided on what I believe to be a very fair package, but one which does not include any bonus payments." |
| 'Vital work' | 'Vital work' |
| Commenting on the increase in basic salary, Mr Wilson added: "At an overall cost increase of 3.5%, the award to senior civil servants is also slightly below recent awards for the rest of the civil service. | Commenting on the increase in basic salary, Mr Wilson added: "At an overall cost increase of 3.5%, the award to senior civil servants is also slightly below recent awards for the rest of the civil service. |
| "But it allows me to reward senior civil servants for the vital work that they do in supporting ministers in the Executive and in delivering public services." | "But it allows me to reward senior civil servants for the vital work that they do in supporting ministers in the Executive and in delivering public services." |
| Public service union NIPSA welcomed Mr Wilson's announcement. | |
| However, general secretary John Corey said he would be seeking assurances that the proposals have regard to the civil servants' contractual rights. | |
| He also raised concerns about major changes being made to civil service pay arrangements without, he claimed, any prior consultation with the trade unions. | |
| "We have always opposed the use of performance bonuses in the public service," said Mr Corey. | |
| "They are divisive and it is grossly unfair that a senior civil servant could be paid a bonus equivalent to some civil servant's annual wage. | |
| "However, we believe Northern Ireland's senior civil servants have a right to be treated no less favourably than senior civil servants in the rest of the UK. | |
| "We will therefore need to examine the details of the Minister's proposals to ensure that contractual rights are not being breached and we will be pressing the Minister for assurances if necessary." |