Construction Work Underpins Spending Rise

Some £11bn was spent on NI's public services last year - with much of the money going on construction projects.

That's according to Stormont Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, who has revealed that there was a growth in spending by local government departments of 8.6% last year, equating to over £863m additional investment.

The Minister said: "This strong performance, which sees 99.3% of the available budget being spent, has been made possible by the proactive management of the public expenditure position by the Department of Finance and Personnel, along with improved financial management in NI departments.

"It builds on the achievements in 2008-09, and highlights the vast improvement in spending performance under devolution compared to Direct Rule, when, for example, almost £380m of resources were left unspent at the end of 2005-06.

"The record levels of capital investment, for example, have allowed the construction of major projects such as the new Foyle and Londonderry College, redevelopment at the Ulster Hospital, construction of the A20 Southern Distributor Road in Newtownards and over £153m funding for 'new build' housing," he said.

The Minister was speaking today as he presented his Provisional Outturn figures for the 2009-10 financial year, detailing the level of spend over the course of the year.

The figures confirmed total investment in public services of almost £11billion in 2009-10.

He said: "This increase of 8.6% on last year has been achieved despite the increasingly difficult economic climate in which we have been operating and represents the highest ever investment levels achieved locally.

"This figure included an increased spend of 16.3% in current expenditure for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, reflecting the Executive's commitment to front line services," he explained.

Gross capital investment increased by 0.5% to just under £1.7bn representing the continuing investment the Stormont Executive is making in infrastructure with net capital investment remaining at £1.5bn, reflecting a significant increase in the level of capital receipts achieved by departments despite continuing concerns over the downturn in the property market.

(BMcC/GK)