Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Douglas McAllister and Hilary Benn

Wednesday 25th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab)]

5. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the spring forecast 2026 on Northern Ireland.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)]

Northern Ireland will directly benefit from the spring forecast, with almost £390 million in additional funding to the Executive over the next three years, including £231 million in 2026-27. That is money that the Executive can use to deliver on its priorities, which include transforming public services and promoting economic growth.

[Douglas McAllister]

The £379 million in Barnett consequentials announced by our Chancellor earlier this month is on top of the £370 million of extra funding announced in the Budget, and that is all in addition to the £19 billion funding settlement announced at the spending review. Does the Secretary of State agree that, with that record level of investment, it is now for the Executive to produce a balanced, multi-year budget that will deliver for the people of Northern Ireland?

[Hilary Benn]

I agree with my hon. Friend. The Government have taken a decision to enable the Executive, if they wish to do so, to agree a multi-year budget. Discussions are taking place, we have had the open book exercise and I hope that the Northern Ireland Executive, given those considerable additional resources, will be able to find a way forward.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Douglas McAllister and Hilary Benn

Wednesday 26th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab)]

10. What recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on improving public services.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)]

I regularly meet Northern Ireland Ministers to discuss the shared challenges we face in improving public services, and the Government will do everything we can to help. Last week, I met the new Finance Minister, and we both expect to be in a position soon to announce progress on funding to help with the transformation of public services.

--- Later in debate ---

[Hilary Benn]

I have not looked specifically at the social partnership model in Wales to which he refers, but I look forward to learning more about it; it sounds very interesting. As I have indicated, we have a lot to learn from each other.

[Douglas McAllister]

The proactive approach that the Secretary of State has set out is an important step change from the approach taken by the previous Government. Does he agree that stabilising and transforming the health service in Northern Ireland is now the priority?

[Hilary Benn]

It certainly is. One has only to look at the waiting list figures in Northern Ireland: some 52% of those waiting for a first consultant’s appointment wait for more than a year; the figure in England is 4%. The First Minister recently described the state of the health service in Northern Ireland as “diabolical”. I am absolutely clear that Ministers and the Executive understand that, and I very much support the programme that the new Health Minister is seeking to put in place to deal with that.