To ask the Minister of Finance to outline what financial support, for costs related to increased employer National Insurance contributions, is being provided by his Department for those Community and Voluntary and Social Enterprise organisations delivering services to meet his priorities

ANSWER

Each public sector contract will have its own specific terms and conditions and therefore any contract modifications necessary to ensure delivery whilst achieving best value for money will be considered by the Department on a case by case basis. Such modifications can include increases to prices required by Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations delivering services, as a result of the increases in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

Decisions on increases in grant funding to meet pressures arising from the increase in employer NICs would also be taken on a case by case basis by the relevant public body.