NIO has told #BBCNolan David Sterling, head of the NI Civil Service, has the power to release £26M of Stormont funds to health workers for a 1% increase in their wages

The NIO has told the Nolan Show that David Sterling, the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, has the power to release £26 million of Stormont funds to health workers for a one percent increase in their wages. A statement to the Nolan Show says "As the Secretary of State made clear during the Budget Act, spending decisions remain devolved. In the continued absence of an Executive, those decisions fall to the Northern Ireland Civil Service." And in another move to get health workers their pay rise, the Nolan Show has been given exclusive access to a letter from the the unions, Unison and the Royal College of Nursing. It is addressed to David Sterling and also says Mr Sterling has the ability to release the £26 million. Stephen gets reaction from Ann Speed from Unison.