Sir Chris Bryant has asked officials to examine possible budget fallback arrangements for Northern Ireland, with Stormont departments still operating without an agreed budget.
The Northern Ireland Secretary told Finance Minister John O’Dowd in a letter that he could not accept more delay, while acknowledging the effect of the situation at Drumcree and the Garvaghy Road on Executive parties. He said he wanted to work with them on a way forward.
Ministers say they need more financial support from Westminster before they can agree a budget for 2026/27. The UK Government has offered a little over £1.5 billion across three years to help balance Stormont’s finances. Without an agreed budget, departments may spend up to 95% of their funding from last year.
Bryant had asked Stormont parties to respond to the offer by Thursday but was urged to postpone that deadline because of the Drumcree situation.
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