London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Stormont deal: Financial package 'falls way short'

The government's offer for extra money as part of the deal to restore Stormont "falls way short" of what was promised, Finance Minister Conor Murphy has said.

Mr Murphy was speaking after the Stormont parties met Secretary of State Julian Smith to discuss how much will be allocated.

The finance minister refused to comment on how much exactly had been proposed.

Earlier the prime minister said the government had made "huge commitments" as part of the deal.

The British and Irish prime ministers were in Belfast on Monday to mark the return of devolution after a three-year impasse.

Speaking to the media, Mr Johnson did not state how much money would be provided to support the deal, saying it was not about money but leadership.

On Monday evening Mr Murphy said: "As far as I'm concerned the conversation hasn't ended, there's still work to be done.

"We have to analyse the verbal figures that were given to us tonight by the secretary of state, but my initial read of them is they fall way short and I wouldn't tend to accept that."

He said the government had made commitments to the Stormont parties.

"They can't come today and congratulate us for living up to our commitments and then not live up to their own," he said.

Mr Murphy had previously said more than £1.5bn was needed.


'Conversation about funding'

The prime minister met the new executive ministers on Monday morning, having been greeted by First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Johnson said the government would "strongly support" the new power-sharing executive.

"What's so great about today is, as I say, that Northern Ireland politicians have put aside differences, stepped up to the plate and shown leadership," he added.

The prime minister said this was a chance to "deliver on the priorities of the people" in terms of health, education and crime fighting.

He acknowledged that there was a "certain amount of conversation about funding" and whether the government was going to be supportive.

Mr Johnson said the government was making "huge commitments" for health.

"Yes of course we are going to be supportive, but it's not just about money," he said.

"We are listening very carefully and will certainly do everything we can to support."



Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar said the Good Friday Agreement "is working again".

"North-south cooperation is going to resume. We are going to beef up and deepen cooperation."

First Minister Arlene Foster said the prime minister must "step up to the plate" and deliver what the government has promised in extra funding for Northern Ireland.

"We need significant and sustained investment, not just this year but over a number of years. This is crucial in ensuring transformation in areas such as health and also our road and water infrastructures," she said.

Mrs Foster also said the possibility of water charges being introduced as a means of raising revenue was not supported by anyone in the executive.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she had impressed upon the two prime ministers "the importance of coming through with the funding promised as part of the deal".

"All executive ministers are committed to working together to tackle some very serious issues in our society and across public services but, quite simply, we need the money to make it happen.

"We have done our bit and I look forward to the fulfilment of the commitments made by the two governments to let us get to work."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×