Finance Minister Dr reflects on 2024 and her
first 11 months in office.
Commenting, Minister Archibald said: “Much has been delivered
since the Executive returned.
“Our top priority in February coming into office was to allocate
funding to enable public sector pay awards to be made – putting
an end to industrial action and while challenges remain Ministers
are determined to ensure our public sector workers receive a fair
pay award.
“In May I signed the Interim of Fiscal Framework securing a
commitment from the British Treasury to review how the Executive
is funded going forward. This was an important first step to
ensure our public services are fairly and properly funded and is
already making a difference delivering £431.4 million of extra
funding for public services this year and next.
“I have now set out my strategic roadmap for the local rating
system. I am determined to build a progressive rates system based
on the principles of fairness and equity, which stimulates our
economy and supports the growth of our taxbase by creating the
conditions for businesses to thrive while ensuring it provides
appropriate support for those who need it most.”
Key achievements
- £688m allocated to prioritise public sector pay awards.
- Reinstated the Back in Business Scheme and Rural ATM Relief
to assist both footfall and cash flow in our towns and cities.
- Extended the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme for 2024/25
supporting over 30,000 businesses.
- Signed the Interim Fiscal Framework securing hundreds of
millions of additional funding for public services.
- Confirmed my intention to reform Marriage Law to put belief
marriage on an equal footing with religious marriage and to
increase the minimum age from 16 to 18.
- Committed to introducing a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme to
give parents and families who have suffered a devastating loss to
feel that their grief is recognised.
- Created a Public Sector Transformation Board to to utilise
the transformation funding from the financial package.
- Campaigned successfully for the pause to be lifted for the
Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West Growth Deals.
- Signed the £290m Derry and Strabane Region City Deal which
will be transformational for the North West.
- Progressed the Office Estate Review which enabled
£24.4million of capital to be allocated in October monitoring to
areas such as social housing and infrastructure.
- Allocated £1bn in-year funding through June and October
monitoring rounds providing additional funding for health,
education, policing, social housing and wastewater infrastructure
which will unlock water connections for 2,300 properties.
- Secured Executive agreement and launched consultation on the
2025-26 Draft Budget.
The Finance Minister concluded: “Earlier this month the Executive
agreed the Draft 2025-26 Budget which is now out to consultation.
The Draft Budget demonstrates our commitment to deliver, and
prioritises additional investment in our public services
allocating resources to where they are most needed to improve the
lives of workers, families and communities.
“I hope this can be our last one year budget so we can move to
multi year budgets and a more long term approach enabling us to
focus on transforming public services – which is essential to put
our finances on a sustainable footing.
“Despite the financial challenges facing us, working together
with my ministerial colleagues in the Executive, we have made a
positive difference. 2025 is about moving forward and building on
the progress we have made.”
