O’Dowd seeks urgent meeting with Chancellor on Executive finances
Date published:
Finance Minister John O’Dowd has written to the Chancellor seeking an urgent meeting on the Executive’s need for fair and sustainable funding.
Minister O’Dowd commented: “The absence of an agreed Budget for 2026-27 is creating significant uncertainty for departments and placing increasing pressure on the delivery of our public services. It is also forcing short-term decision making at a time when longer-term, strategic choices are required.
“It is imperative that an agreed Budget is put in place as soon as possible. This can only happen, though, after agreement has been reached with the Westminster Government around a fair and sustainable funding outcome.
“The Executive has engaged extensively with Westminster to ensure there is a clear understanding of the scale of the financial challenges we face and the impact they are having on public services.
“Given the seriousness of the situation, urgent progress is now required. I am calling on the Chancellor to engage directly with the Executive and take the necessary steps to deliver a funding settlement that enables us to set a sustainable Budget, drive transformation and deliver better outcomes for our people.”
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