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NI 'could be set for road tolls' NI 'could be set for road tolls'
(about 6 hours later)
Northern Ireland faces road tolls and fewer criminals in prison, according to details of a leaked government letter.Northern Ireland faces road tolls and fewer criminals in prison, according to details of a leaked government letter.
The document, obtained by the Belfast Telegraph, was allegedly sent by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms to NI Secretary Peter Hain. Obtained by the Belfast Telegraph, it was allegedly sent to Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms.
He said there needed to be more progress on "curbing the increase in prisoner numbers".He said there needed to be more progress on "curbing the increase in prisoner numbers".
There needed to be a focus on "the scope for road charging and tolling", said the letter.There needed to be a focus on "the scope for road charging and tolling", said the letter.
It said savings of £700m had to be achieved by 2010-11.It said savings of £700m had to be achieved by 2010-11.
In the document, Mr Timms said there had to be a cut in "the very high percentage of prisoners on remand" in Northern Ireland.In the document, Mr Timms said there had to be a cut in "the very high percentage of prisoners on remand" in Northern Ireland.
A review of sentencing policy could "identify more savings", he said.A review of sentencing policy could "identify more savings", he said.
The newspaper said Mr Timms had told Mr Hain all departments should be drawing their money reviews to a close by October.The newspaper said Mr Timms had told Mr Hain all departments should be drawing their money reviews to a close by October.
'Spending review''Spending review'
The letter said: "So as a next stage, I would like you to write to me again by Friday, September 29, setting out the set of realistic, tough options that will deliver savings to offset your pressures and enable you to live within the likely range of settlements that we have discussed."The letter said: "So as a next stage, I would like you to write to me again by Friday, September 29, setting out the set of realistic, tough options that will deliver savings to offset your pressures and enable you to live within the likely range of settlements that we have discussed."
Other areas for potential cost-cutting measures include a reduction in police overtime, sell-off of publicly-held assets and a push for greater private sector involvement in the privatisation of the Water Service.Other areas for potential cost-cutting measures include a reduction in police overtime, sell-off of publicly-held assets and a push for greater private sector involvement in the privatisation of the Water Service.
A spokesman for the Treasury told BBC News Online it would not comment on a leaked document. A spokesman for the Treasury told the BBC News website it would not comment on a leaked document.
However, he added: "The outcome of the spending review will be announced in summer, 2007.However, he added: "The outcome of the spending review will be announced in summer, 2007.
"It will contain funding settlements for all government departments for the next three years.""It will contain funding settlements for all government departments for the next three years."