Northern Ireland ministries confront nearly £1.5bn budget gap amid stalled finance plan
Stormont departments are facing an almost £1.5 billion shortfall this year, with no budget approved six months into the financial year.
Six months into the fiscal year, Stormont ministries lack an approved budget and are confronting a shortfall of nearly £1.5 billion. John O’Dowd’s three-year draft, tabled in January, stalled as ministers failed to agree, restricting departments to spend only a fraction of last year’s allocation. Finance committee members received a written briefing outlining a £1.44 billion “block pressure” and called for further data from officials.
Chair Matthew O’Toole called the lack of a budget “extraordinary” and “grave,” noting it has never happened before. Meetings with UK Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant produced an offer of £350 million annually, while Stormont officials argue that £450 million per year is required. First Minister Michelle O’Neill said negotiations are ongoing, and DUP leader Gavin Robinson warned the offer falls short of departmental needs.
