UK declines to increase Stormont funding offer

The UK government has declined to increase its financial offer to the Northern Ireland Executive, leaving a proposed £1.5bn package on the table. This comes six months after the executive was due to set a budget for the current financial year. Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant raised the offer from an initial £1.1bn earlier this month, but executive parties argue significant funding gaps remain. Finance Minister John O'Dowd cited departmental pressures of around £1.6bn, while Sinn Féin claims the north receives less funding than Wales and Scotland. Bryant urged executive parties to accept the package and produce a balanced budget urgently, warning of tight public finances. If rejected, he could potentially pass a budget bill via Westminster, though this would be contentious during devolution.