Northern Ireland's First Minister has issued a direct appeal to the UK government for greater financial support and flexibility, warning that the current funding settlement is insufficient to secure a crucial multi-year budget for Stormont.
A Call for Change from Westminster
First Minister Michelle O'Neill met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, in Belfast on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. She was accompanied by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald for the discussions at the Northern Ireland Office.
Ms O'Neill stated that the ongoing impasse over the proposed budget is one of the most urgent challenges facing the powersharing Executive. She argued that the funding allocated from London is inadequate, leaving public services under severe strain after what she described as "over a decade of austerity."
"There is not enough pie to go around all Executive departments to invest in public services," she said. "We need flexibility and additional funding." The First Minister emphasised she was not seeking preferential treatment, but a fair settlement to address unique regional pressures.
Cross-Party Pressure and Divergent Views
The meeting formed part of a series of engagements between the larger Stormont parties and Mr Benn this week, with talks also held in London. Finance Minister John O'Dowd published his draft multi-year spending plan last week, launching a public consultation. However, the proposals have not been agreed by the Executive and have faced criticism from other parties, notably the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
DUP leader Gavin Robinson, who met Mr Benn in London on Tuesday, agreed that Northern Ireland must be funded according to need. He also stressed a parallel duty to eliminate wasteful spending. "Public services must be funded and structured in a way that is both effective and efficient," Mr Robinson stated.
Meanwhile, Alliance Party deputy leader Eoin Tennyson, who met the Secretary of State later on Wednesday, described the Executive's financial situation as "very challenging." He pointed to internal divisions, stating his party's focus was on delivery rather than "division, culture war and delay." Mr Tennyson also suggested the Secretary of State had taken a "fairly 'hands off' approach" since the Executive's return.
Legacy Concerns and the Path Forward
Beyond the budget, Ms O'Neill confirmed she raised "serious concerns" with Mr Benn regarding the development of the UK government's Legacy Bill. She reiterated her opposition to any legislation that provides preferential treatment to military veterans involved in the Troubles.
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office said the Secretary of State's visit was part of his regular engagement with party leaders. "The UK Government remains committed to a stable and prosperous Northern Ireland and looks forward to the Executive agreeing a budget," the statement read.
With the draft budget now under consultation and significant hurdles remaining, the pressure is mounting on both the Stormont Executive and the Westminster government to find a resolution that can break the deadlock and deliver Northern Ireland's first multi-year budget in over ten years.
