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The Stormont Executive has called for Andy Burnham to provide “a fair funding envelope” to Northern Ireland saying the current level “does not provide a sufficient basis to fund public services” in the region.
The collective letter signed by all ministers from the four-party power-sharing Executive has also requested a meeting with the Prime Minister who has not visited the province since he entered No 10 on July 20.
Stormont ministers have been unable to agree a budget for the current financial year, with departments operating on contingency budgets since April.
MLAs have consistently made the point that they need more money from the Treasury to address a funding crisis facing public services in the region.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the Executive has “repeatedly made the case to the British Government for a fair and sustainable funding package, but our calls have consistently not been met”.
“People here deserve high-quality public services, but we cannot deliver the transformation they need without the necessary investment,” she said.
“The people we represent should not be left paying the price for a failure to properly fund public services here.
“We need action and we need it urgently.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said her and the First Minister “were very clear about the urgent need to resolve these issues” when they spoke with Mr Burnham over the phone following his appointment.
“Transforming our public services and delivering real change for the people of Northern Ireland is our priority but we cannot do this alone,” she said.
“We are committed to working with the UK Government to deliver economic growth across the UK, securing a funding envelope that enables us to invest in our public services and secure better outcomes for everyone living here.”
The letter reads: “The Executive is committed to achieving a budget position that is balanced and sustainable.
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