DUP leader Gavin Robinson has stated that he urged the Chancellor for a more favourable financial arrangement for Northern Ireland. He also requested borrowing powers to facilitate the construction of additional homes, enhance infrastructure, and stimulate economic growth.
Stormont budget deadlock
This development occurs as the Stormont Executive remains unable to agree on a new three-year budget, nearly two months into the current financial year. Ministers have expressed concerns that their departments require increased funding.
Mr Robinson highlighted that his party colleague, Education Minister Paul Givan, faces a funding deficit amounting to hundreds of millions of pounds. This shortfall could result in the loss of teaching positions, larger class sizes, and reduced support for children with additional needs.
Business concerns and underinvestment
In an email to DUP party members, Mr Robinson noted that business leaders have indicated that Northern Ireland possesses significant potential but is hindered by planning delays, underinvestment, and inefficient systems. He described a broader reality that cannot be overlooked: Northern Ireland is expected to deliver first-class public services with second-class funding.
Mr Robinson emphasised that residents are feeling the strain, with patients enduring longer waiting times, local services disappearing, and roads deteriorating. He has been presenting this case directly to the government.
Meetings with Prime Minister and Chancellor
“I met the Prime Minister and made it clear that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and must be funded fairly as part of it. A strong Union must mean a fair Union,” he said. “This week we again pressed the Chancellor for a better financial settlement and for borrowing powers that would allow Northern Ireland to build more homes, improve infrastructure and support economic growth.”
He also stressed that the government must address its own inefficiencies. Approximately £350 million is lost annually due to fraud and error, while inefficiency and unacceptable absenteeism persist within parts of the civil service.
“Working families and businesses across Northern Ireland are already under enough pressure. They do not need new charges or stealth taxes from Stormont on top of continued Treasury underfunding,” Mr Robinson added. “Talent, hard work and potential, Northern Ireland has them in abundance. What has been missing for too long is government willing to match that ambition with proper investment.”
Government response
A government spokesperson responded: “The UK Government has provided a £19.3 billion per year on average funding settlement for the Spending Review period, the largest in real-terms in the history of devolution. It is the responsibility of the Executive to manage that carefully. In addition to this, the Chancellor has announced over £750 million additional funding in Barnett Consequentials.”
“The Secretary of State is engaging regularly with the Minister for Finance on the budget, and it is clear he faces significant challenges in getting agreement from the Executive, and has asked for additional funding from the Government. Therefore, the Executive needs to come forward with a detailed strategic plan for how they will manage their finances and move towards sustainability.”
