Northern Ireland politicians face cut in salaries as powersharing gridlock continues

NORTHERN Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has said she is “minded” to cut the salary of members of the crisis-hit Stormont Assembly by 27.5 per cent, but will consult the parties before making a final decision.

Mrs Bradley’s predecessor, James Brokenshire, commissioned former Assembly chief executive Trevor Reaney to examine the controversial issue of paying MLAS who are not performing their roles as legislators due to the powersharing impasse.

Before Christmas, Mr Reaney recommended the 27.5% cut, a move that would take the average salary of £49,500 to £35,888 in two stages. Mrs Bradley told the Commons she would seek to introduce legislation at Westminster that would hand her the power to vary MLA pay.

“I am minded to reduce pay in line with the Reaney Review recommendation, but I would welcome full and final representations from the NI parties before I make a final decision,” she said.

Mrs Bradley also announced a cap to stem money paid out through the Renewable Heat Incentive – the botched green energy scheme that contributed to the collapse of devolution – would be extended for another year.

She added: “It would not be acceptable to put finances at risk by simply allowing that cap to lapse.”

Mrs Bradley said her powers as Secretary of State remained limited, as was the scope of Westminster to pass laws on devolved issues.

She said that meant fundamental decisions were not being taken in Northern Ireland.