Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive pertaining to the budget for 2024–2025; and what was the outcome of those discussions.

The Northern Ireland Executive (NIE) has responsibility for allocating its budget for 2024-25.

The NIE are well-funded to deliver their devolved responsibilities. As part of the 2024 Northern Ireland Executive restoration financial package, the UK Government committed to provide over £640 million of funding to the NIE in 2024-25. This includes £34 million to tackle health waiting lists in Northern Ireland.

The UK Government also committed to agree a Fiscal Framework for Northern Ireland as part of the Northern Ireland Executive’s restoration financial package.

On 21 May 2024, the Interim Fiscal Framework was agreed. This is an early and significant step in realising the commitment towards new funding arrangements for Northern Ireland. Included in this Interim Fiscal Framework is the application of the 24% needs-based factor in the Barnett formula for Northern Ireland.