Northern Ireland public sector workers are set to receive a pay award for 2023 after a resolution was reached to release the funds, an MLA has said. The announcement comes after a period of uncertainty over the payment.

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald said the Executive has agreed to allocate the necessary funding to implement the pay award. The decision affects a range of public sector staff across Northern Ireland.

The pay award had been delayed due to the political deadlock at Stormont, which was resolved earlier this year when the institutions were restored. The funding allocation is part of the Executive's efforts to address public sector pay pressures.

Archibald said the move would provide a boost to workers who have been waiting for the increase. The exact value of the award and the number of workers affected will be confirmed as departments process the payments.

The Executive is also facing wider budget challenges, with health and education among the areas under pressure. The allocation for pay awards is separate from those issues, Archibald said.