Northern Ireland MPs have expressed serious concerns over the latest UK Government Budget, warning that the financial settlement fails to provide the necessary support to stabilise local public services and boost the economy.

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) South Antrim MP Robin Swann welcomed specific targeted allocations but highlighted significant funding gaps facing the Northern Ireland Executive. While noting the £7.5 million in research and development funding for Belfast's cyber and artificial intelligence sectors alongside £1 million for a Northern Ireland Investment Summit, he warned these measures cannot mask broader budget deficits.

Mr Swann expressed concern that the £270 million delivered via the Barnett formula is spread over four years and will fail to meet the Executive's immediate financial needs. He also raised questions regarding whether these funds will be allocated this financial year given the ongoing absence of an agreed local Executive budget. Furthermore, he criticised the lack of direct business rates relief and reduced hospitality VAT for Northern Ireland, alongside the decision to increase Air Passenger Duty (APD) in line with RPI from 1 April 2028 rather than scrapping it to assist competition with Dublin. He added that proposed reforms to Carer's Allowance fail to address the core financial pressures on unpaid carers.

The UUP MP stated: "While I welcome the specific announcements of £7.5 million in new research and development funding for cyber and artificial intelligence in Belfast, alongside £1 million to support a Northern Ireland Investment Summit, these measures alone cannot mask the deeper financial crisis the Northern Ireland Executive faces. They do, however, show that the Government can take direct action if it is minded to.

"The £270 million delivered via the Barnett formula is spread over four years and will not meet the needs of the Northern Ireland Executive, even within this financial year. It also looks to include the Northern Ireland allocation for the £100 Household Energy Payment. Unfortunately, rather than providing stability, this shortfall pushes the possibility of a sustainable local budget even further away.

"Crucially, urgent clarification is now needed on whether these Barnett consequentials will actually be allocated this financial year, given that the Northern Ireland Executive has still been unable to agree a budget. Without an agreed budget in place, there is deep uncertainty as to how these funds can be effectively and efficiently spent.

"It is also deeply frustrating to see business rates support measures announced for England not being extended to Northern Ireland. Our local high streets, retail and hospitality businesses are facing the same cost pressures as their counterparts in England, yet they are left waiting on devolved arrangements that remain stalled by the lack of a local budget. The lack of movement towards a reduced hospitality VAT rate for Northern Ireland is also very disappointing. "I am further disappointed by the announcement that all rates of Air Passenger Duty will increase in line with RPI from 1 April 2028. The call for APD to be scrapped entirely in Northern Ireland is clear. Scrapping it would have allowed our aviation and tourism sectors to compete on a level playing field with Dublin, rather than being hit with further tax rises.

"While I acknowledge the proposed reforms to Carer's Allowance, I am deeply concerned that these measures fail to address the core financial pressures currently facing unpaid carers across the United Kingdom.

"If our public services and local economy are to be put on a secure footing, Westminster and the Treasury must recognise that Northern Ireland requires a realistic funding settlement that reflects the actual costs of our public services, rather than sticking plasters that leave our local institutions struggling to deliver."

Sinn Féin MP for South Down, Chris Hazzard, stated that the British government has failed to prioritize local public sector workers and services, arguing that Northern Ireland remains underfunded compared to other devolved nations.

Mr Hazzard said: "Despite all the spin from the British government today, they are still treating our nurses, healthcare, and public sector workers with contempt by refusing to provide the funding needed to deliver fair pay.

"Today's budget is the British government doubling down on their approach of underfunding the North, and valuing our public workers and services here as less than those in Manchester, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

"This disgraceful approach of treating our people here as second best to others must end.

"If the north was funded on the same basis as Wales, we would have an extra £1 billion a year for public services. Compared to Scotland, that figure rises to £3 billion.

"How can the British government justify that?

"Sinn Féin is absolutely determined to make sure our people here are treated fairly and with respect.

"We will keep fighting hard for fair funding for public services, and to deliver an Executive budget that meets the needs of workers, communities and public services."

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson argued that the Budget offers little relief to taxpayers facing heavy tax burdens, noting that while fuel duty freezes and additional Executive funding provide minor relief, key economic pressures remain unaddressed.

Mr Wilson said: "People feeling the pain of one of the heaviest tax burdens in generations were looking for relief today. Workers, families and businesses are being taxed to the hilt, and little announced today will lift that burden.

"Extending the 5p cut and fuel duty freeze will help, but with diesel at almost £2 a litre, drivers and hauliers will rightly ask why more was not done.

"The extra £270 million for the Executive will help ease pressure on our public services, and the Investment Summit and £7.5 million for cybersecurity skills are positive steps.

"On the family farm tax, there was nothing. Farming families have been ignored yet again.

"Nobody begrudges low-paid workers a rise in the minimum wage, but somebody has to pay. It will be employers, many of them small businesses already hammered by the National Insurance hike, and many of those costs will turn up on the price tag in the shop and the filling station.

"With the world as dangerous as it has been in decades, there is still no date for reaching 3 per cent on defence. That is a massive flaw from a Chancellor who called for a 2030 date when he resigned as Defence Secretary.

"This Government taxes, spends and hopes for growth. It is a recipe that has failed before and it will fail again."