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No cost of living payment for NI until Stormont budget agreed, says Bryant
The payment would extend to lower-income households in Northern Ireland only if ministers approve a budget and unlock £131 million in funding.
- On Wednesday, British Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey announced a £270 million funding package for Northern Ireland, with £131 million available this financial year if Stormont ministers agree a budget.
- Seven months into the financial year, Stormont Executive parties have failed to agree a budget, leaving departments restricted to spending 95% of last year's budget. Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant warned this limit excludes the additional £131 million.
- Stormont Finance Minister John O'Dowd cited a "significant gap" between funding and service needs, yet the Budget allocates £7.5 million for a Queen's University Belfast AI research hub and £1 million for an investment summit.
- Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant warned he may gather ministers individually or collectively to force agreement, saying "There is absolutely no reason now why the Northern Ireland Executive can't sit down and agree a budget."
- Beyond immediate funding, the Budget extends tariff suspensions on kerosene and fertilizer until December 2028 to reduce production costs. Long-term economic planning remains contingent on resolving the budgetary dispute between Stormont and Westminster.
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Investment summit and boost to AI research hub among Budget measures for NI
The Stormont Executive is also to receive an additional £270 million through the Barnett formula.
·London, United Kingdom
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UK Budget: Government warns Stormont to agree a budget or lose out on additional £131m cash on offer for salaries
The Secretary of State has warned Northern Ireland’s governing parties that if they don’t agree a budget, they will not be able to spend millions of pounds of extra funding available as a consequence of the Budget.
·Portadown, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources10
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution80% Center
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources are Center
80% Center
L 20%
C 80%
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