The Executive in Northern Ireland has approved a draft budget for 2025/2026, but faces ongoing financial difficulties. While the budget prioritizes health and education, concerns remain about funding for waiting lists and potential overspending.
Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald said that the financial outlook 'remains incredibly difficult' after the Executive agreed the draft budget for 2025/2026. The draft budget will now go out for a 12-week public consultation, although it is understood that a budget document will not be published until the New Year while the departments decide how they will prioritize their funding allocations.
Ministers were unanimous in their approving the draft budget despite Health Minister Mike Nesbitt expressing concern that the paper as it stands does not place sufficient emphasis on tackling Northern Ireland’s spiralling waiting lists. The Department of Health and Department of Education will receive the majority of the funding available, with the departments being allocated £8.4 billion and £3.2 billion, respectively. Each department's allocation is split into resource spending and capital spending with resource spending covering things like wages and utility bills and capital spending covering the cost of investment in things such as roads, buildings and vehicles. The delivery aspirations of departments significantly outweighed the available funding. Requests for day to day funding were over two times greater than the amount available for allocation after the baseline allocations were made. While the Executive received more from the UK Government’s autumn budget than it had been expecting, ministers are still facing a potential overspend of £180 million in the current financial year. Failure to balance the overall Stormont budget for 2024/25 would potentially see the Westminster Government withdraw a previous offer to write off almost £600 million of debt owed to the Treasury. The Treasury offer, made by the last government, to set aside the £559 million was conditional on the Executive delivering a balanced budget this financial year. The NI Executive has to make decisions on a budget of £19.3bn for the year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 202
BUDGET FINANCE NORTHERN IRELAND HEALTH EDUCATION
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Northern Ireland Faces Difficult Budget DecisionsThe Executive in Northern Ireland approved a draft budget for 2025/2026, facing a challenging financial outlook. Funding pressures and potential overspends are key concerns.
Weiterlesen »
Domestic Violence Unit in Northern Ireland Faces 50% Staff ReductionThe number of police officers dedicated to the domestic violence unit in Northern Ireland's northwest has been cut by half, from six to three. This reduction has sparked concern among advocates who argue it undermines the police service's ability to effectively address violence against women and girls.
Weiterlesen »
Puppy Max Faces Euthanasia Spark Outrage in Northern IrelandA five-month-old puppy named Max is facing euthanasia after being classified as a pitbull type by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. Dog lovers are outraged and demanding the council reconsider its decision, highlighting Max's young age and the possibility of alternative solutions.
Weiterlesen »
World Cup 2026 qualifying draw: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland discover opponentsThomas Tuchel's first games in charge of England have been revealed, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have tricky 2026 World Cup qualifying tests.
Weiterlesen »
2026 World Cup qualifying draw: England handed tricky draw in Group KEngland, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland discovered their fate.
Weiterlesen »
Northern Ireland: Folic acid will be added to flour from 2026Food producers in Northern Ireland will add folic acid to non-wholemeal flour by law from 2026.
Weiterlesen »