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Back pay 'could affect services' Back pay 'could affect services'
(about 6 hours later)
A £100m pounds pay out in back pay to low paid civil servants could impact upon the delivery of public services, the finance minister has warned. Back pay in excess of £100m to low paid civil servants could impact upon the delivery of public services, the finance minister has warned.
Nigel Dodds also said that until the issue was resolved there could be no significant allocations to departments.Nigel Dodds also said that until the issue was resolved there could be no significant allocations to departments.
"This is without doubt potentially the most challenging position ever to face public service provision," he said."This is without doubt potentially the most challenging position ever to face public service provision," he said.
"The circumstances mean we face a difficult engagement with the Treasury, potentially followed by hard choices.""The circumstances mean we face a difficult engagement with the Treasury, potentially followed by hard choices."
BBC NI political correspondent Gareth Gordon described Mr Dodds's assessment of the situation as "bleak".BBC NI political correspondent Gareth Gordon described Mr Dodds's assessment of the situation as "bleak".
"Essentially he wants the Treasury to pick up the bill and points out that this is a legacy inherited from direct rule," he said."Essentially he wants the Treasury to pick up the bill and points out that this is a legacy inherited from direct rule," he said.
"He also said the trade unions needed to recognise in resolving the issue the potentially devastating impact the pay claim could have on the provision of public services.""He also said the trade unions needed to recognise in resolving the issue the potentially devastating impact the pay claim could have on the provision of public services."
Former Finance Minister Peter Robinson announced the pay out in May, saying the problem dated back 38 years.Former Finance Minister Peter Robinson announced the pay out in May, saying the problem dated back 38 years.