Secretary of State confirms first cut to MLAs’ pay on November 1

Stephen Robin Getty: We are nearly reaching a point where NI is ungovernable. The only way progress can be made is when we have a British Government not under the influence of the DUP, the current confidence and supply arrangement is toxic to any possible agreement and damages the government’s role as any kind of neutral player in negotiations.

Herbie Irvine: Or just appoint a direct rule minister and get on and show some respect for the people of Northern Ireland and start getting things done: 1 health, 2 education, 3 Yorkgate, 4 M5 upgrade. That would be a good start?

Terry Gibson: You don’t need a direct rule minister, we’re already at direct rule in a roundabout way.

Anna Burton: “By almost a third” .... should’ve been completely stopped long ago. Amongst many other services, our health service is at breaking point, I was told today I may have to wait up to a year to be seen by my two specialists which is ridiculous. The people of Northern Ireland deserve a functioning Executive.

Lorraine Parkes: They shouldn’t be getting paid at all. Put money towards healthcare.

Ian Martin Wilgaus: And yet there is barely a difference due to how taxes work. Plus their many other incomes sitting on different boards aren’t affected.

Cathy M Donnelly: What about the public sector workers who haven’t had a pay rise in how long? I’m sure they’ll be glad to know the letters have gone out, as will it really make a dent in their pockets?

Delia Rooney: It won’t make much difference for their pockets. The reduction brings them under the 40% tax bracket to paying 20% therefore paying a lot less tax and still coming home with approx same money! So its just a facade to pretend they are being punished, publicity stunt.

Paul Simpson: Farce. Should have been 100% immediate cut back in March when SoS Bradley stated she was considering it, then possibly we might not be 620 days without a local government.