Stormont Finance minister seeking "urgent meeting" with UK chancellor
(Alliance News) - Northern Ireland's Finance Minister has called for an "urgent meeting" with UK Chancellor John Healey over the region's finances.
Stormont ministers have been unable to agree a budget for the current financial year, with departments operating on contingency budgets since April.
Ministers across the four-party Executive have consistently made the point that they need more money from the Treasury to address a funding crisis facing public services in the region.
In July during his first visit to Belfast as Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Bryant warned he had "a checklist of things I want to get sorted" rather than a chequebook.
On Monday, John O'Dowd insisted a budget can only be agreed when agreement is reached with the UK government for "fair and sustainable funding" for Stormont.
"The absence of an agreed budget for 2026-27 is creating significant uncertainty for departments and placing increasing pressure on the delivery of our public services," he said.
"It is also forcing short-term decision making at a time when longer-term, strategic choices are required.
"It is imperative that an agreed budget is put in place as soon as possible. This can only happen, though, after agreement has been reached with the Westminster government around a fair and sustainable funding outcome."
O'Dowd pressed the "seriousness of the situation", calling for "urgent progress".
"The Executive has engaged extensively with Westminster to ensure there is a clear understanding of the scale of the financial challenges we face and the impact they are having on public services," he said.
"Given the seriousness of the situation, urgent progress is now required.
"I am calling on the chancellor to engage directly with the Executive and take the necessary steps to deliver a funding settlement that enables us to set a sustainable budget, drive transformation and deliver better outcomes for our people."
The Treasury has been contacted for a response.
By Rebecca Black, Press Association
Press Association: News
source: PA
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