Sinn Féin and DUP clash over budget meeting with UK Government

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 12:30 · Archive

Sinn Féin and the DUP are disputing whether a joint meeting with UK ministers over Stormont's budget was offered and refused.

Sinn Féin and the DUP are at odds over a proposed joint meeting with UK Government ministers to discuss Northern Ireland's budget impasse. DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly claimed on Wednesday that Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O'Neill had rejected an invitation for the two to meet Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds and Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant. Sinn Féin disputed this, saying there had been no agreement at the Stormont Executive for such a joint meeting, and accused the DUP of "deflecting".

Ms Little-Pengelly criticised Ms O'Neill on social media, writing that the meeting represented an "opportunity and offer" and that refusing to attend was "not responsibility, that is recklessness and an abdication of her role". Both leaders are set to hold talks at Stormont with Sir Chris on Thursday, but in separate engagements with their respective parties rather than together.

Stormont's devolved departments have been operating without a budget since the start of the current financial year in April. They are currently restricted to spending no more than 95% of last year's funding. Ministers have insisted they cannot strike a budget for 2026/27 without additional financial support from Westminster.

The UK Government has offered an extra £1.5 billion over the next three years to help balance the books. Stormont's leaders argue this is insufficient. Sir Chris has responded by criticising what he described as "irresponsible" overspending by devolved ministers.

How it is being reported

• Sinn Fein and DUP at odds on budget meeting plan ahead of talks with NI SecretaryOn Wednesday evening, Ms Little-Pengelly criticised Ms O’Neill in a social media postBelfast Live · 22 Oct, 12:15
• SF and DUP at odds on budget meeting plan ahead of talks with NI SecretarySinn Féin has rejected a DUP claim that it turned down an offer of a joint First Minister and deputy First Minister meeting with the UK Government.News Letter · 22 Oct, 11:56
• SF and DUP at odds on budget meeting plan ahead of talks with NI SecretaryBelfast Telegraph · 22 Oct, 11:46

In this story: Sinn Féin · DUP · Michelle O'Neill · Emma Little-Pengelly · Chris Bryant · Emma Reynolds · Northern Ireland

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