Health and Education Receive Largest Share of Northern Ireland’s Draft Budget for 2025/26
The Northern Ireland Executive has unveiled its draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year, which will be open for public consultation. As part of the proposed allocations, the health and education departments will receive the largest share of the £19 billion budget.
Key Details of the Proposed Stormont Budget
The draft budget outlines approximately £16 billion for day-to-day expenses and £2 billion for capital investments. Notably, the plan includes a 9% increase in day-to-day spending compared to the previous year. To support these changes, the proposal also includes an increase in the regional rate — a component of the annual rates bills. Households could face an additional 60p per week, while businesses would see a 3% increase in their rates.
Proposed Budget Allocations for Departments
Here are the key proposed budget figures for each Stormont Executive department:
- Health: £8.79 billion
- Education: £3.6 billion
- Infrastructure: £1.57 billion
- Justice: £1.51 billion
- Communities: £1.25 billion
- Economy: £1 billion
- Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: £716 million
- Finance: £271 million
- Executive Office: £253 million
Commitment to Key Issues
At a press conference, First Minister Michelle O’Neill emphasized that the draft budget supports the government’s program priorities, particularly in areas like tackling violence against women and girls. “This budget reflects our commitment to addressing the most pressing issues, particularly those affecting working families and communities,” O’Neill stated.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly noted that the budget also allocates £50 million to double funding for a new childcare strategy. Furthermore, the Executive has earmarked funds to “ringfence” resources for agriculture, rural development, and environmental conservation.
Supporting Infrastructure and Housing Development
Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald highlighted that £100 million in capital funding will be dedicated to housing initiatives, with an additional £105 million allocated to improving water and wastewater infrastructure in Northern Ireland. “We’ve worked together to direct resources where they are most needed,” Archibald remarked. The finance minister also expressed hope that this would be the last annual budget, with a move toward multi-year budgets in the future.
Health Sector Faces Pressure
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described the budget allocation for health as a “challenging” one but acknowledged the difficulties involved in balancing competing priorities. While health is receiving more than half of the day-to-day funding, Nesbitt pointed out that the budget does not explicitly address key priorities, such as reducing waiting lists. He expressed concern about the gap between the proposed budget and the broader program for government objectives.
Challenges in the Environment Sector
Environment Minister Andrew Muir also raised concerns about his department’s budget. He said that the funding would not address critical issues such as the ongoing environmental challenges at Lough Neagh, particularly the issue of blue-green algae. Despite these concerns, Muir welcomed the funding for agriculture and rural development, which will be protected in the budget.
Unions and Public Response
John-Patrick Clayton from the union Unison said that while the budget’s details will need further scrutiny, the health sector’s challenges are clear. He highlighted that there hasn’t been enough funding to support long-term transformation within the health service, particularly concerning vacancies and improving staff pay and conditions.
As the budget moves toward public consultation, stakeholders, including schools and community organizations, are encouraged to share their feedback by February 2025.
Source: BBC News
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