Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, has publicly criticized Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, claiming he has “got it wrong” regarding the region’s funding. O’Neill’s comments came after a recent meeting of the East-West Council in Belfast, which focused on budgetary discussions, trade barriers, and public service demands in Northern Ireland.
During the meeting, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn acknowledged the complexities surrounding the region’s funding, stating that Westminster has provided substantial support to the powersharing Executive. However, O’Neill pointed out that while funding has increased, the demand for public services, particularly in healthcare and education, has also surged.
O’Neill emphasized the need for a multi-year budget for Stormont, the seat of the Northern Ireland Executive, marking the first such budget in over a decade. She highlighted the challenges posed by years of underfunding, stating, “We can’t fix all of that within one year or two years of a new Executive.” She called on the British government to prioritize additional funding to enable the Executive to establish a sustainable budget.
The Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, echoed O’Neill’s sentiments, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts with the Treasury. Little-Pengelly noted that while the potential overspend might sound significant, it is relatively minor compared to the overall budget. She pointed out that demand for services has reached record levels, particularly in education and health, which are further strained by rising costs due to inflation.
In her remarks, O’Neill stated, “The British government has underfunded us… we need them to step up, actually put more money into public services here.” She criticized the current approach of simply urging the Executive to manage with existing resources, insisting that more financial support is essential for meaningful progress.
Benn, responding to the discussions, acknowledged the difficulties of the budget situation, stating, “Any prospect of there not being a balanced budget will be a source of concern to all of us.” He recognized the challenging financial landscape facing all governments, including those in Northern Ireland.
He pointed out that despite claims of record funding levels, the reality is that the demands on public services continue to grow. Benn affirmed the importance of balancing the budget while supporting the Executive in their financial planning.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds also attended the meeting and expressed satisfaction with discussions surrounding the rollout of funds from the autumn budget. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that the arrangements related to the Windsor Framework are accessible for businesses.
As Northern Ireland navigates the complexities of public funding and service demands, the ongoing dialogue between its leaders and the British government remains crucial in shaping the region’s financial future.
