O’Dowd welcomes Budget Bill passing final stages in the Assembly
Date published:
Finance Minister John O’Dowd welcomed the 2024-25 Budget passing its final legislative stages in the Assembly.
Minister O’Dowd said: “I welcome agreement of the Budget Bill’s final stage. This will enable Departments to continue to deliver vital public services for the rest of the 2024-25 financial year. Attention will now focus on finalising the budget for next year.
“Despite the financial challenges facing us, Ministers have worked together to make a positive difference to allocate resources to improve the lives of workers, families and communities.
“The 2024-25 Budget provided £25 million for early learning and childcare support measures, supporting hard working families by making childcare more affordable. This investment will be doubled to £50 million under the 2025-26 Draft Budget.
“Almost £1 billion of funding was allocated in June and October monitoring rounds to where it was most needed from health to education and policing to social housing and wastewater infrastructure.”
The Draft 2025-26 Budget is currently out for consultation until 13 March.
Minister O’Dowd added: “I would encourage everyone to have their say on the Draft 2025-26 Budget to ensure we prioritise the finite funding available to continue doing what matters most.
“I hope the 2025-26 Budget can be our last single year budget and we can begin to set budgets on a multi-year basis, allowing for a more long-term strategic approach.
“There is no doubt the financial outlook remains difficult. But I am determined to work together with my Ministerial colleagues to put our finances on a more sustainable footing.
“Devolved Governments face many common challenges. I am looking forward to meeting with my counterparts in Scotland and Wales and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Cardiff tomorrow.
“I will continue to champion the case for better funding for public services for workers, families and businesses.”
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