Statement from the Secretary of State on NI Finances 2023/24

The Northern Ireland Secretary of State has set out his long-awaited budget for 2023 - 2024. The main headline from this budget is the extension of the repayment period for NI's overspend. This comes after unprecedented correspondence and activity from senior civil servants and their union. Whils its unclear how this will be managed in practice, there's clearly a tightening of the screws from the UK Government. Below is detailed the breakdown of departmental allocations.

Chris Heaton-Harris recognised that departments still faced difficult decisions "in order to live within the funding available".

The Treasury, has granted flexibility on the repayment of the £297 million overspend from the 2022-23 Budget, which can be paid over two years rather than just one. He added that his department has continued to work closely with the Northern Ireland Department of Finance on a “sustainable and strategic approach” to public finances, which includes options for revenue raising in line with the rest of the UK.