Mr. Bernard Gloster:

In appearing at committees in these Houses in the autumn and in public, I was very clear that the cost base we were running would present us with a serious challenge for 2024 in light of the level of funding we had. Looking at the detail for the last half of 2024, we have a particular difficulty at the moment because there is industrial action as a result of the employment cap I introduced on the very senior management grades the Deputy referred to at the start. Based on the best information available to me, we will certainly be very challenged this year. We have submitted a plan to the Minister and he is considering it. Within that plan, I have made very clear the conditions that will determine the level of the challenge. As I have said on the record previously, my job in the meantime is to do the best I can with what I have. The one caveat I have as regards assurance from Government is that, whatever else I do, cutting services will not be an option.