First Minister Michelle O’Neill also criticised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for not meeting with her and the deputy First Minister.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has accused the UK Government of having “failed” the region in terms of funding.
She insisted that the current level of funding “simply does not match the scale for the challenges facing our public services” and criticised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for not having met and her and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly after they wrote to him last month.
The Executive has not yet been able to agree a proposed three-year budget almost two months into the new financial year with ministers complaining the draft allocation for their departments is not enough to meet need.
At the weekend DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he has pressed Chancellor Rachel Reeves for a better financial settlement for Northern Ireland, as well as borrowing powers that would allow the administration to build more homes, improve infrastructure and support economic growth.
Speaking during questions for the Executive Office at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, Ms O’Neill said she and Ms Little-Pengelly wrote to Sir Keir on April 17 “outlining the scale of financial pressures and seeking further engagement”.
She said Secretary of State Hilary Benn responded on April 28, on the Prime Minister’s behalf, “reaffirming their view that sufficient funding is there – which we obviously do not agree with”.
“We invited the Secretary of State to meet to discuss these issues and challenges and agree a 2026 to 30 budget, and that meeting has not yet taken place,” she said.
“The Executive has consistently highlighted that the current funding does not reflect the pressures on our public services, as also noted by the Fiscal Council, and that Wales and Scotland receive comparatively higher funding relative to need.
“In the absence of an agreed budget our departments are operating within contingency plan envelopes set by the Department of Finance, constraining decisions on increasing financial and delivery risks.
“We remain committed to protecting frontline services, to prioritising our program for government commitments, and also restoring financial stability whilst pressing for a fair and sustainable funding settlement.”
She went on: “I do believe that the people here have been failed, and that’s why we collectively make the case for a proper and adequate funding model.
“We’re asking for fairness, people here pay their taxes, people here are entitled to good public services.
“People here have been failed by Westminster again and again and again, and I think that actually shows a complete disregard that Keir Starmer has chosen not to meet with myself and the deputy First Minister, thus far, but we make that case again today.
“We need fairness for the people we represent. We need investment in public services. We need support through cost of living, and we will not give up until we get actually what we need for people here.”
Opposition leader Matthew O’Toole responded saying he is “shocked” the Executive is “relying on Keir Starmer, a man whose government is in shambles, who doesn’t know if he’d be in a job by the summer to guarantee public services for the people of Northern Ireland”.
He said while he agreed they needed a “better financial settlement”, he pointed out that by the Executive not agreeing a budget, it is “imposing an additional austerity cut” because ministers can only spend a percentage of last year’s budget.
He also pressed Ms O’Neill on when a Stormont budget will be agreed.
Ms O’Neill responded saying ministers are “determined to get to the point where we have a multi-year budget”, but added: “as it stands right now, this budget doesn’t cut it”.
“It is not good enough for the people here. My ambition is obviously much larger than yours,” she added.
Earlier, Stormont Finance Minister John O’Dowd has said he is continuing to have conversations with the Treasury over a budget for Northern Ireland.
“Yes we need a budget, we need an agreed budget moving forward,” he said.
“That has to be able to deal with the challenges that our public services face on a daily basis.
“My conversations and discussions with the British Government are continuing.
“We need a fair funding package for here to allow us to deliver public services.”
