Budget set for Northern Ireland

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris has set a budget for 2023-24 and introduced legislation intended to ensure that public services can continue to function in the absence of an Executive.

The budget includes £14.2 billion to be spent by the Northern Ireland Executive, with more than half earmarked for health. There is also £2.6 billion for education and £1.2 billion for justice.

The Northern Ireland (Interim Arrangements) Bill was also introduced, which allows current civil servant decision-making arrangements to continue until an Executive is formed. The Bill also sets out new powers for the Secretary of State to direct Northern Ireland departments to provide him with advice or consult on options to raise revenue or deliver sustainable public finances in the ongoing absence of NI Ministers.

The moves are intended to ensure governance will continue if an Executive is not restored before the current arrangements expire on 5 June.

Heaton-Harris said: "This situation exists despite the UK Government providing additional funding totalling £7 billion to NI since 2014, on top of extra funding provided through the Barnett formula.

"I remain committed to protecting the interests of people in Northern Ireland, and will continue to do everything I can to help the Northern Ireland Parties to work together to make that happen.

"The people of Northern Ireland deserve a stable and accountable devolved government that delivers for them."

Image by Richard Townshend - https://members-api.parliament.uk/api/Members/3977/Portrait?cropType=Thr... https://members.parliament.uk/member/3977/portrait, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86642932