First Minister and deputy First Minister
have today visited
Kids Korner, Belfast, and On Track Technicians, a Lisburn
engineering firm, to see first-hand how Programme for Government
investment is delivering for families, workers and businesses.
The visits to Kids Korner and On Track Technicians marked the
publication of the Programme for Government Annual Report
2025-2026, which sets out progress delivered across the
Executive's priorities over the past year.
The report highlights reductions in the longest hospital waiting
times, increased investment in childcare and early years
services, support for skills and job creation. It also outlines
action to deliver more housing, continued work to tackle violence
against women and girls and work to improve wellbeing through a
joined-up approach across government and communities.
First Minister said: “The
Programme for Government Annual Report shows real progress over
the past year, and today's visits brought that to life in a very
practical way. At Kids Korner, we saw how the Executive's £55
million investment in childcare and early years provision is
helping families access more affordable childcare and giving
children the best possible start in life.
“At On Track Technicians, it was clear how investment in
skills is supporting people into good-quality jobs and helping
the company to grow and compete, with more than 17,000 people
across the north benefiting from skills programmes over the past
year. The report also highlights wider delivery, including over
237,000 additional health procedures to help reduce waiting
times, alongside continued investment in housing and vital public
services.
“This is about turning investment into real outcomes for
people, and while there is more to do, we are focused on building
on that progress.”
Deputy First Minister
said: “We have been clear from the outset that the
focus of our Programme for Government is delivery. We are
tackling the big issues to improve people's lives, and this
report demonstrates the progress made to date.
“We are committed to delivering an Early Learning and
Childcare Strategy that gives children the best start in life
while supporting more affordable childcare. Our visit to Kids
Korner highlighted just how important this is for families and
communities.
“We are also focused on growing a globally competitive
and sustainable economy. At On Track Technicians in Lisburn, we
saw how innovation and a clear growth strategy are delivering
real economic benefits.
“Our Programme for Government is about taking action
people can see and feel. While there is more to do, I am
confident that by working together we can deliver what matters
most and build strong foundations for future progress.”
Key highlights from the Annual Report include:
-
£135 million invested to treat additional
health patients, delivering more than 237,000
extra outpatient, diagnostic and inpatient procedures.
- Significant reductions in the longest health waiting times,
including endoscopy, outpatient and inpatient care.
-
£55 million invested in childcare and
early years provision, with over 2,500 full‑time
pre‑school places now available.
-
£129 million allocated to public sector
transformation projects across health, special educational
needs, justice and infrastructure.
- More than £20 million invested
through the Skills Fund, supporting around 17,000
people to upskill or reskill and
over 1,100 employers.
- Over 5,300 additional
properties enabled to connect to the wastewater
infrastructure, supporting housing and economic growth.
- Continued delivery of the Ending Violence
Against Women and Girls Delivery Plan, supported by more
than £5 million in local and regional
funding.
The Programme for Government Annual Report 2025–26 is available
online at: https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/publications/programme-government-annual-report-2025-2026
Notes to Editors:
-
Alongside the Programme for Government Annual report, the
Public Sector Transformation Fund Annual Progress Report is
available here: https://www.northernireland.gov.uk
/public-sector-transformation-fund
