Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set to meet with Stormont ministers to discuss fiscal stability and public service delivery

Northern Ireland’s newly formed Executive has called for urgent discussions with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak regarding long-term funding for public services. In a letter signed by all Stormont ministers, the Executive stated that the current financial package on offer “does not provide the basis for delivering sustainable public services and public finances.”

The UK Government has proposed a £3.3 billion financial package to help stabilise Northern Ireland’s finances, which includes £600 million to settle public sector pay claims. However, Prime Minister Sunak has stated that the funding is designed to ensure long-term stability for public services. Despite this, Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill emphasised that the financial arrangements need to change in order to address the challenges faced by public services, particularly in hospitals and schools.

“The people of Northern Ireland deserve better public services,” said O’Neill. “We need a change in how we are funded to make that happen. I will strongly press this point with the Prime Minister in today’s meeting to ensure we have the resources needed to deliver effective services.”

DUP Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly echoed O’Neill’s sentiment, stating that the Executive would be united in its discussions with the Prime Minister. “We are ready to engage with the Government to stabilise our finances, but we also need to ensure that the UK Government provides sufficient funding to meet its promises on public sector pay,” she said.

Prime Minister Sunak has defended the UK Government’s proposal, describing it as a “generous and fair settlement” that would provide a sustainable financial foundation for Northern Ireland’s public services. He stressed that with the Executive now back in operation, it was important that local politicians focus on the priorities of the region, starting with improving public services.