NISRA: Statistics agency to scale back work due to budget cuts

Image source, Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Image caption, Nisra says it will continue to publish key economic data
  • Author, John Campbell
  • Role, 大象传媒 News NI economics and business editor

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) has confirmed it will scale back and suspend some of its work due to budget problems.

Its budget has been cut by about 20% in real terms this financial year.

It will continue to publish key economic data but will sharply reduce the analysis it provides alongside that.

Some of the more obscure reports, such as the annual coal statistics, will be ended entirely.

It is understood the agency has reallocated staff to focus on revenue earning work such as contracts with the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

That means staff have less time for the analysis and commentary work on the main statistical releases.

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Public services in Northern Ireland are having to find cuts due to a squeezed Stormont budget

For example, the quarterly economic output report, known as the NI Composite Economic Index (NICEI), will be reduced from 19 pages to about five pages.

Similar changes will be made in the quarterly statistical publications for manufacturing, services, construction and employment.

A separate retail sales report will be suspended and the details folded into the general services report.

Public services in Northern Ireland are having to find cuts due to a squeezed Stormont budget.

On Thursday, the senior official at the Department of Finance said close to 拢1bn of savings had been identified this year but Stormont departments were still on course to overspend by at least 拢450m.