Sir Chris Bryant warns he will set Stormont budget if Executive fails to

UK Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant has stated he will set a budget for Northern Ireland if the devolved ministries cannot agree on one, deeming it the "obvious logical conclusion" to the ongoing deadlock. The UK government offered slightly more than £1.5 billion over three years to assist in budgeting, but that deal has remained unchanged since September 10.

Stormont departments have been without a budget since the start of the current financial year, and ministers in the devolved executive claim they cannot create a 2026/27 budget without extra financial aid from Westminster. The current offer includes £450 million in resources for 2026/27, followed by £400 million each year for the subsequent two years, plus £50 million annually for public service transformation.

There's also £50 million for social housing from 2027/28 to 2028/29. The UK government has conditions attached to the offer, including Stormont reform, which is being addressed separately. Sir Chris told party leaders there won't be more Treasury funding and expressed willingness to cooperate but emphasized the need for the executive to live within its resources.

He acknowledged this is unprecedented for a UK minister to set a budget for the region while devolved institutions are in operation, stating, "The obvious logical conclusion is that if it's impossible to set a budget through the Executive, then somebody else will have to do it for them."