Finance Minister John O'Dowd has stated that the primary focus of the British Government must be the adequate funding of public services to meet the needs of the community and the economy.

The Minister emphasised that the public expects a level of investment that allows families to access essential support and facilitates economic growth. He stressed that this responsibility remains constant, irrespective of political developments in London, and called on the British Government to provide the Executive with the necessary resources.

Minister O'Dowd said: "People here want to see public services properly funded, with families able to access the support they need, and the investment required to grow our economy. Regardless of the outcome of ongoing events in London, the British Government must face up to its responsibilities and properly fund the Executive." According to the Minister, public services have been constrained for an extended period by budgets that fail to reflect actual requirements. He noted that the resulting strain is being felt across multiple sectors, including health, education, infrastructure, justice, and community services, impacting workers, businesses, and families directly.

Highlighting the need for a shift in how funding is allocated, he added: "For too long, public services have been forced to operate within budgets that do not meet need. Health, education, infrastructure, justice and community services are all under significant pressure, and that pressure is felt directly by workers, families and businesses."

The Minister argued that the Executive requires a sustainable, long-term financial framework to enable effective planning and delivery. He also advocated for greater fiscal flexibility to help address the consequences of what he described as years of underinvestment.

Concluding his remarks, Minister O'Dowd said: "The Executive needs sustainable, long-term funding that allows us to plan, invest and deliver. We need the fiscal flexibility to support public services, strengthen the economy and protect those most impacted by years of underinvestment. Public services must be properly funded to deliver for workers, families, communities and businesses."