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Over 55,000 Northern Ireland health workers got an early Christmas present yesterday as it was announced that a 1% pay rise will now be paid to them. The Nolan Show has been all over this story since last month when civil servants said 拢26 million earmarked for the wage increase couldn't be released without ministers in place at Stormont. But yesterday the Department of Finance announced that Northern Ireland public sector pay policy has now been determined for 2017/18. That means that the health workers will now get their payments, which will be backdated, "before the end of the financial year". Finance Permanent Secretary, Hugh Widdis said: "Setting Pay Policy would normally be the responsibility of the Finance Minister. However, I am very much aware of the pressures on hard working public sector staff and the potential impact on recruitment, retention and morale caused by the current unprecedented situation. Therefore, having considered all of these factors, I believe this is the most appropriate way to resolve this pressing situation and is in the public interest." This is a very important development. It means that the civil service can make major political decisions which would normally be the sole responsibility of Ministers at Stormont. The question is should civil servants be making these decisions? Stephen talks to Newsletter political editor Sam McBride, Anne Speed from union Unison, Justin McCampbill from teaching union NASUWT, SDLP MLA Mark Durkan, Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw and UUP MLA Roy Beggs.