To ask the Minister of Finance whether she has submitted a bid to Treasury to cover the costs of an increase to the public sector pay award.

I have consistently made the case on the need for increased funding for public sector pay awards both in meetings with the Treasury and Chancellor.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury has confirmed that the 2024-25 budgets for Whitehall department will be substantively settled at the Autumn Budget on 30 October.

Under the Barnett formula, the Executive will receive a population based share of any changes to Whitehall departments’ budgets announced on the 30 October. Barnett consequentials are unhypothecated, meaning they do not have to be spent for the purpose which gave rise to the consequential.

Following the Autumn Budget announcement, the Executive will decide how to allocate the available funding to address total departmental overcommitments and pay awards.