The Northern Ireland Assembly is set to debate a series of SDLP amendments that would significantly broaden the remit of the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council. If passed during the debate on Tuesday, 5th May, the new legislation would grant the spending watchdog substantial powers to evaluate the Executive's performance in delivering its Programme for Government.

The proposed amendments to the Fiscal Council Bill, which establishes the body as a permanent legal entity, would require the Council to assess whether specific Programme for Government targets are being met. Furthermore, the Opposition's changes would empower the Council to analyse the broader economic consequences of Executive policy decisions, including their effects on productivity, economic growth, and employment.

An additional amendment tabled by the SDLP would mandate the Fiscal Council to investigate the "cost of division"—the financial burden caused by the duplication of public services across Northern Ireland. SDLP Leader of the Opposition, Matthew O'Toole MLA, said: "These amendments are the SDLP Opposition delivering what we meant when we talked about constructive Opposition. These amendments, if successful, could mark a step change in how we make and scrutinise policy in Northern Ireland.

"We know that Programmes for Government - on the occasions they are even agreed - are often full of waffle, and when there are targets they are left unmet and crucially, Budgets are often completely unaligned to stated Executive targets. Our amendments would help to force a change in that culture.

"We are also proposing powers to ensure Executive policy is scrutinised for its impact on jobs and the real economy rather than simply its cost, as well as assessing the cost of a divided society which holds us back and wastes money on the duplication of services.

"These are real, substantive legal changes which would give the Fiscal Council powers that could radically improve our policy debate and public scrutiny. If Executive parties are serious about delivery - and we have seen little to suggest they are - they must back these amendments tomorrow."