The DUP has expressed hope that the funding gap could close sufficiently to allow a Stormont budget to be agreed. Party leader Gavin Robinson also welcomed what he described as a “sense of realism” entering budget discussions with the UK Government.
Robinson referenced the expected announcement next week of Barnett consequentials, which are funding adjustments given to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in response to adjusted policy spending in England. Previously, Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant insisted there is no more money available beyond the £1.5 billion currently on the table.
Talks at Stormont
Sir Chris met with party leaders at Parliament Buildings on Thursday. Speaking after her meeting, Sinn Féin president Mary-Lou McDonald cautioned that the money on offer from London “still runs far short” of what is necessary for public services and public sector pay awards.
However, Robinson suggested that a closing of the funding gap next Wednesday could give Stormont ministers a “fighting chance” to balance the budget. He said: “It is clear to us – and has been for some time – and I think it is now clear to the Secretary of State that no matter whether this Executive passes a budget, or indeed he steps in and the Government pass it on the Executive’s behalf, the books cannot balance.”
Robinson's Remarks
Robinson added: “That realisation is important. I think there is an understanding of the gap and there is an understanding of the constraints both here and in Westminster, but I do think there is an opportunity for us to continue engagement, and also to look towards Wednesday of next week to see whether the gap can be closed sufficiently that would allow the Executive a fighting chance to balance the books.”
He acknowledged that “whilst we are still in different places, and it’s fair to acknowledge that the Secretary of State and us do not agree on the way forward, I have to say the realism that has been injected into the discussions today, and I hope will be a feature of other discussions as well, is a good starting point.” Pressed, Robinson said it would not be realistic to imagine the gap will be entirely closed, or that hundreds of millions of pounds will be announced next week, but he thought the money on offer, the ability to “reprofile other monies”, and what will come next week could take them a “huge step”.
Sinn Féin's Caution
McDonald said there will be “further conversations”, noting that Stormont Finance Minister John O’Dowd, who accompanied her, had been involved in “months and months of talks”. She said: “We are clear that we have to land at a decision point and we have made very clear to the Secretary of State that we will work constructively, but there has to be understanding that the right investment has to be made here in the North. They can’t short-change people who live here, we won’t accept or tolerate that.”
McDonald said Stormont parties are in agreement that the UK government “is attempting to short change the north of Ireland, and that we will collectively face that down”. She also suggested that if public sector workers take strike action over pay, it would be the fault of the UK government, stating: “We’ve said to the Secretary of State that that final offer cannot be the final offer because it is simply not efficient to run public services … responsibility for this lays fairly and squarely at the feet of the British Government, either they choose to fund adequately public services and public servants or they don’t.”
Alliance's Call for Resolution
Alliance deputy leader Eóin Tennyson said the budget “must be brought to a swift resolution”. He claimed that people have been “distracted by a deliberate campaign of polarisation” in recent weeks. “Whenever the circus leaves town we still have serious jobs to do, we still have public services to run and public servants who need paid,” he said. “This process around budget cannot remain in a state of suspended animation forever, it needs to be brought to a successful resolution swiftly.”
Earlier, Sinn Féin accused the DUP of “deflecting” amid the budget impasse. The comment came after DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly claimed Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill had rejected an invitation for both of them to meet Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds alongside Sir Chris.
Budget Context
Executive departments have been operating without a budget since the beginning of the current financial year in April, and are currently only allowed to spend up to 95% of last year’s funding. Ministers in the devolved powersharing administration have insisted they cannot strike a budget for 2026/27 without additional financial support from Westminster. The UK Government has offered an extra £1.5 billion over the next three years to assist with balancing the books, but Stormont’s leaders insist that is not enough.
In response, Sir Chris has hit out at “irresponsible” overspending by devolved ministers. On Wednesday evening, Ms Little-Pengelly criticised Ms O’Neill in a social media post, writing: “Tomorrow we have an opportunity and offer to meet with the Secretary of State and the Chief Secretary of the Treasury on budget and she has refused to attend that meeting. This is not responsibility, that is recklessness and an abdication of her role.”
Sinn Féin responded that there had been no agreement at the Stormont Executive for a joint First Minister and deputy First Minister meeting with the UK Government. The party said in a statement: “Today’s meeting was/is party leaders – Sinn Féin is meeting the SoS (Sir Chris) at 12.30. FM has met SoS on many occasions – is in constant, direct contact. The DUP are deflecting. There are attempts to find a suitable time for the other meeting with the CST (Ms Reynolds) and SOS.”
Prime Minister's Urging
The Prime Minister has pressed Northern Ireland’s ministers to agree a devolved budget, insisting the onus cannot always be on the UK Government to resolve Stormont’s financial problems. Andy Burnham told MPs in the House of Commons on Wednesday that he had spoken to the Stormont parties on a recent visit to Northern Ireland and had subsequently found more money despite a “very difficult situation” in terms of the UK’s overall public finances. He added: “I found extra money and there comes a point where people have to work together to set a budget. It can’t always be our responsibility. We stepped forward and I ask all parties in Northern Ireland to do the same – set a budget and get Stormont functioning as it should.”
