Stormont Ministers Press Chancellor on NI Public Service Investment
On her first official visit to Belfast as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves was met with a clear message from Stormont ministers: Northern Ireland needs real investment in its public services, and London must understand the local impact of national decisions. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Finance Minister John O’Dowd welcomed Reeves to Stormont Castle, using the meeting to stress that the upcoming budget must support transformation in health, education, and other key services.
Both ministers warned that certain UK government policies could hit Northern Ireland harder than other regions, particularly affecting farmers, small businesses, and the wider economy. O’Dowd reminded the Chancellor that “decisions made in London” don’t always reflect local realities, and urged meaningful engagement before major policies are finalised.
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Reeves, for her part, insisted that Northern Ireland is “absolutely crucial” to the UK’s economic future, highlighting opportunities to grow its creative industries, defence manufacturing, and other high-potential sectors. Her visit included tours of Studio Ulster—the country’s largest virtual production studio—and Thales, a Belfast defence facility producing equipment for Ukraine. She described the facilities as world-leading and said they demonstrated why Northern Ireland is a prime location for investment.
The Chancellor pushed back on the idea that her trip was merely symbolic, citing the “largest real-terms settlement for the Northern Ireland Executive since the Good Friday Agreement,” with £19.3bn per year pledged until 2029, plus additional funding for City and Growth Deals. She emphasised that this record settlement is intended to be spent “wisely” to create sustainable jobs and better services.
However, not all policies have been warmly received. Reeves defended her controversial decision to reduce agricultural property relief from inheritance tax, saying farms worth less than £3m (owned jointly) will remain exempt, but those above should “make a contribution.” Farmers have criticised the change as a “family farm tax,” but Reeves argued it was necessary to protect ordinary working people from tax rises elsewhere.
Little-Pengelly described the talks as a valuable chance to ensure Northern Ireland’s “unique issues and characteristics” are considered in the autumn budget, stressing that with the right support, the region could unlock “immense economic potential.” O’Dowd was more blunt, warning that without significant investment in staff and services, transformation will stall and public finances will remain constrained.
In closing, Reeves reiterated her belief that the “future is bright” for Northern Ireland if both governments work together. The ministers agreed on one point—what happens in the coming budget could set the course for Northern Ireland’s public services and economy for years to come.
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