PM tells Stormont ministers to 'step forward' and set a budget

Andy Burnham has directly pressed Northern Ireland ministers to agree a devolved budget, telling the Commons “it can’t always be our responsibility” to resolve Stormont’s financial problems.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Mr Burnham said he had spoken to the Stormont parties on a recent visit to Northern Ireland and “found extra money” despite a “very difficult situation” in the UK’s overall public finances.

“I found extra money and there comes a point where people have to work together to set a budget,” he said. “We stepped forward and I ask all parties in Northern Ireland to do the same — set a budget and get Stormont functioning as it should,” PA reported.

The intervention came after Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann warned that the impasse has left his party colleague, Health Minister Robbie Butler, with neither the finances nor the legal ability to pay health and social care workers a recommended pay uplift — raising the prospect of industrial action by health unions in the weeks ahead.

Stormont departments have been operating without a budget since the financial year began in April, limited to spending 95 per cent of last year’s funding. Ministers insist a 2026/27 budget is impossible without more Westminster support; the Government has offered an extra £1.5 billion over three years, which Stormont leaders say is not enough.

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has meanwhile attacked “irresponsible” overspending by devolved ministers, and last week finance minister John O’Dowd said departmental pressures in the current year were running at around £1.6 billion against an offer of roughly £525 million — warning there was “simply isn’t the quantum of funding” to protect public services and pay teachers and health workers, PA also reported.