To ask the Assembly Commission when the Financial Assistance for Political Parties Scheme and Whips' Office allocation will be reviewed.

Financial assistance is available for an authorised purpose as set out in the Financial Assistance for Political Parties Act (Northern Ireland) 2000. That authorised purpose is defined as “assisting members of the Assembly who are connected with such parties to perform their Assembly duties”. That is the sole purpose set out in the Act.

Financial assistance is provided under the terms of the Financial Assistance for Political Parties Scheme 2016 (referred to as the FAPP Scheme).

While the FAPP Scheme does not contain a formal review mechanism, the Commission had already agreed to review the scope of the Scheme (within the parameters set by the enabling legislation) and to also review the level of payments. In addition, paragraph 3.7 of ‘New Decade, New Approach’ makes reference to funding for an opposition and to the Statement of Entitlements for an Official Opposition.

In light of this recommendation in NDNA, the Commission has agreed to work jointly with the Assembly and Executive Review Committee (AERC) to facilitate implementation of the NDNA recommendation.

The AERC will consult with the Commission on any financial implications and with the Committee on Procedures on any procedural implications arising from the review recommendations and, in accordance with the Assembly resolution of 13 October 2020, the AERC will report to the Assembly on the outcome of the review.

While recognising the remit and role of the AERC and without prejudice to the outcome of AERC’s deliberations, the Commission has also agreed to consider a review of the funding available under the current Scheme.