Explanatory Memorandum

Budget (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2020

2020 CHAPTER 3

17 June 2020

Commentary on Sections

Section 1: Issue of sum out of the Consolidated Fund for the year ending 31 March 2021 and appropriation of that sum

Sub-section (1) authorises the issue out of the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland of the revised sum of £8,225,189,000 for 2020-21.

Sub-section (2) appropriates that sum for the purposes specified in column 1 of Schedule 1.

Section 2: Power of the Department of Finance to borrow

This section authorises the temporary borrowing by the Department of Finance in 2020-21 of approximately half the sum covered by Section 1 (1). This is a normal safeguard against the possibility of a temporary deficiency arising in the Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund.

Section 3: Use of resources (other than accruing resources) in the year ending 31 March 2021

Sub-section (1) authorises the use of resources amounting to £9,050,940,000 for 2020-21.

Sub-section (2) authorises that sum for the purposes specified in column 1 of Schedule 2.

Sub-section (3) specifies the departments and other bodies to which these authorisations apply.

Sub-section (4) confirms that this section does not include accruing resources.

Section 4: Short Title

This section sets out the title of the Budget (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2020.

Schedules to the Act

Schedule 1: Sums granted for the year ending 31 March 2021.

Schedule 2: Amounts of resources authorised for use in the year ending 31 March 2021.