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Stormont stalemate: Heaton-Harris pushes back NI election deadline Stormont stalemate: Heaton-Harris pushes back NI election deadline
(32 minutes later)
Assembly members have continued to receive their £51,500 salary despite NI's government not functioning since FebruaryAssembly members have continued to receive their £51,500 salary despite NI's government not functioning since February
The government has extended the deadline for a Northern Ireland executive to be formed and outlined plans to cut assembly members' pay.The government has extended the deadline for a Northern Ireland executive to be formed and outlined plans to cut assembly members' pay.
There has been no government in Northern Ireland as the DUP has refused to join a power-sharing executive. There has been no Stormont government since February as the DUP has refused to join a power-sharing executive.
The new 8 December deadline can be extended by a further six weeks, meaning the latest an assembly election can be held is 13 April 2023.The new 8 December deadline can be extended by a further six weeks, meaning the latest an assembly election can be held is 13 April 2023.
MLA wages are also to be cut by about a third, BBC News NI understands. MLA wages are also to be cut by about £14,000.
In a brief statement to the Commons, Mr Heaton-Harris also announced plans to give civil servants more powers to address a £660m budget black hole.In a brief statement to the Commons, Mr Heaton-Harris also announced plans to give civil servants more powers to address a £660m budget black hole.
"The vast majority of those I have spoken to think that an election at this time would be unwelcome," Mr Heaton-Harris told MPs."The vast majority of those I have spoken to think that an election at this time would be unwelcome," Mr Heaton-Harris told MPs.
Pay cutPay cut
Assembly members (MLAs) currently receive an annual salary of £51,500 a year.Assembly members (MLAs) currently receive an annual salary of £51,500 a year.
Mr Heaton-Harris said the public were frustrated to see politicians receive their full salaries without an executive and said he would cut wages "appropriately".Mr Heaton-Harris said the public were frustrated to see politicians receive their full salaries without an executive and said he would cut wages "appropriately".
It was confirmed this would be a 27.5% cut, meaning the salary is now £37,337.
There is a precedent for MLAs having their pay reduced during a period of political limbo at Stormont.There is a precedent for MLAs having their pay reduced during a period of political limbo at Stormont.
In 2018, then-NI Secretary Karen Bradley cut MLA pay by 27% when Sinn Féin blocked the formation of an executive.In 2018, then-NI Secretary Karen Bradley cut MLA pay by 27% when Sinn Féin blocked the formation of an executive.
Election date confusionElection date confusion
May 2022 - Sinn Fein wins most seats in Assembly election; DUP refuses to nominate deputy first minister, meaning no executive can formedMay 2022 - Sinn Fein wins most seats in Assembly election; DUP refuses to nominate deputy first minister, meaning no executive can formed
4 October - Newly-appointed NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris says he will call a fresh election if no executive is formed within 12 weeks - on 28 October4 October - Newly-appointed NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris says he will call a fresh election if no executive is formed within 12 weeks - on 28 October
18 October- He says he "cannot be clearer" that an election will be triggered if executive is not restored by 00:01 on 28 October18 October- He says he "cannot be clearer" that an election will be triggered if executive is not restored by 00:01 on 28 October
19 October - He defends his plans19 October - He defends his plans
28 October- Legal deadline passes. Mr Heaton-Harris says he will hold an election, but does not set a date28 October- Legal deadline passes. Mr Heaton-Harris says he will hold an election, but does not set a date
4 November - It is announced there will be no election before Christmas4 November - It is announced there will be no election before Christmas
9 November - Deadline for reforming executive set to be extended to at least 8 December9 November - Deadline for reforming executive set to be extended to at least 8 December
13 April - Deadline for fresh election (if 12-week window for holding poll opens on 19 January)13 April - Deadline for fresh election (if 12-week window for holding poll opens on 19 January)
Last Friday, Mr Heaton-Harris ruled out a Christmas poll, after insisting an election would be called as power-sharing at Stormont had not been restored.Last Friday, Mr Heaton-Harris ruled out a Christmas poll, after insisting an election would be called as power-sharing at Stormont had not been restored.
The DUP has said its protest is against the post-Brexit trading arrangement known as the Northern Ireland Protocol.The DUP has said its protest is against the post-Brexit trading arrangement known as the Northern Ireland Protocol.
In October, Chris Heaton-Harris said he would call an election if the executive formation deadline was missedIn October, Chris Heaton-Harris said he would call an election if the executive formation deadline was missed
In October, Chris Heaton-Harris said he would call an election if the executive formation deadline was missedIn October, Chris Heaton-Harris said he would call an election if the executive formation deadline was missed
This was designed to ensure free trade could continue across the Irish land border, but it has led to new checks on some goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.This was designed to ensure free trade could continue across the Irish land border, but it has led to new checks on some goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin won the most seats in May's election, entitling the party to nominate for the position of first minister.Sinn Féin won the most seats in May's election, entitling the party to nominate for the position of first minister.
It has accused the DUP of refusing to return to power-sharing because an Irish nationalist would take up the post.It has accused the DUP of refusing to return to power-sharing because an Irish nationalist would take up the post.
Almost £2.8m has been paid out in salaries to MLA's since they were elected in May - despite not taking up their seats in the Stormont chamber. The referee who blew for extra-time
So cutting their salaries will be a popular move with an electorate struggling to pay bills. Faced with a deadlock he could not break the secretary of state and part-time referee opted for a chunk of extra-time and a penalty for Northern Ireland's politicians.
But it will have little impact in pushing the politicians back to work. It was in the end the only call Chris Heaton-Harris could make after he blinked first in his stand-off with the DUP.
The DUP's boycott of the executive will continue with former minister Edwin Poots insisting cutting his salary to a penny a week would make no difference. Although he remains the man in the middle he has lost much of his authority.
Unlike previously when salaries were cut, this time all the other parties who are willing to restore the executive are being punished. After his climbdown last week when ruling out a pre-Christmas election, the secretary of state completed his U-turn by ditching the previous 12-week window for an election to take place.
In 2018, it was a Sinn Féin boycott which triggered the cut. Instead, he will now legislate for a "short, straightforward extension" to allow more time for the crisis to be resolved.
Pay was restored when the parties returned to the executive in 2020. This marks a departure from the New Decade New Approach deal agreed by the parties and both governments as there was no provision for extra time.
This time resolving the crisis and restoring the salaries is beyond the control of local politicians. As we know in Northern Ireland move a deadline once and it is likely to move again, nothing is set in stone.
It is in the hands of UK and EU negotiating teams. During his announcement on Wednesday, Mr Heaton-Harris did not commit to implementing public sector pay recommendations for Northern Ireland.
In July, the independent pay review body said that health service staff in Northern Ireland should receive a pay increase of £1,400.
Former Health Minister Robin Swann said he would accept the recommendation but did not have the power to implement it.
Mr Heaton-Harris said he does not yet have all the facts he needs to make a decision.
Read more: Stormont crisis explainedRead more: Stormont crisis explained
Q&A: Will there be an election in Northern Ireland?Q&A: Will there be an election in Northern Ireland?
A simple guide to the Northern Ireland ProtocolA simple guide to the Northern Ireland Protocol
Who is Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris?Who is Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris?