Member

The right hon. Member for East Antrim (Sammy Wilson) talked about the pressures on the health budget back home in Northern Ireland. I am happy to announce that our Health Minister and the health trade unions have just reached a pay agreement, which may restore parity for our health workers in 2024-25 but which will also cause additional pressures. Although the Treasury’s exemption of our health and social care sector from the increase in national insurance contributions is welcome news for those working in the sector, it will place an additional burden on the parts of the community service that make up the health and social care service across these islands—a burden that the Bill will introduce.