A senior Stormont minister has launched a scathing attack on the UK government's Budget, declaring it has done "sod all" for working people in Northern Ireland and warning against any additional revenue-raising measures that would further target them.
Budget Falls Short for Northern Ireland
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons expressed deep disappointment with the financial settlement announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday 27 November 2025. While the Chancellor confirmed the Northern Ireland Executive would receive an extra £370 million, Finance Minister John O'Dowd clarified that only £18.8 million of that would arrive in the current financial year.
Mr Lyons stated the new money was "not coming anywhere close to meeting the demand and the need that we have here in Northern Ireland". He emphasised that the region still receives a "far less generous settlement" compared to other devolved administrations across the UK.
The Executive is confronting a severe financial challenge, with a projected shortfall of approximately £400 million for the current period, a figure that dwarfs the immediate funding being provided.
Revenue-Raising Would 'Hammer' Workers, Minister Warns
When questioned about the Stormont Executive using its own powers to generate more funds, Minister Lyons was unequivocal in his opposition. He cautioned that such measures would unfairly burden the same people who are already struggling.
"It will fall on the backs of the same people, those who are out working every single day, people who are getting in their cars and vans on their way to work," Mr Lyons told the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme. "They are already getting hammered at every opportunity, they feel that they are doing the right thing, and revenue raising will simply hit them again and again."
He firmly stated his position, saying, "I am not prepared to put more burden on those that are actually trying to do their best and grow the economy."
Westminster's Response and the Water Charges Question
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn offered a contrasting perspective, asserting that all governments, including Stormont, must make difficult decisions about finances. He pointed out that the Executive possesses the authority to raise more money if it chooses to do so.
"In the end, you have to make a choice and there are people in Northern Ireland who could perfectly well pay water charges which apply in other parts of the United Kingdom," Mr Benn remarked, directly referencing a potential revenue stream not utilised in the region.
Mr Lyons did welcome one specific measure from the Budget—the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap, which his department administers. However, he contended that this positive step was "outweighed" by other announced measures. He confirmed that the funding for this change would largely come from the UK Government and that he expected cross-party support within the Executive to maintain benefit parity with the rest of the UK.
