Secretary of State has welcomed the release of £129 million by
the UK Government to support public service transformation in
Northern Ireland.
- The funding is the first tranche of the £235 million
transformation fund committed to the Executive, and demonstrates
the UK Government's commitment to improving public services for
people in Northern Ireland.
- Targeted funding will support six Executive projects across
the Departments of Health, Justice, Education and
Infrastructure.
- UK Government support to deliver Plan for Change.
The funding will see £61m go towards expanding the
multi-disciplinary team approach to primary care across Northern
Ireland, and support five other projects across justice,
education and infrastructure which represent key priorities in
the Executive's Programme for Government.
This is the first tranche of funding to be allocated from the
£235 million fund created by the UK Government as part of the
financial package that led to the restoration of the Executive in
February 2024. It comes in addition to a £1.5 billion increase
through the Barnett formula, with £1.2 billion for day-to-day
spending, and £270 million for capital investment. This
investment shows the Government's Plan for Change delivering
reform and growth for the people of Northern Ireland.
Mr Benn said: “Everyone recognises that the task
of stabilising and transforming Northern Ireland's health and
other public services is a priority.
“This allocation of UK Government funding is a really important
step towards this, and in this UK Government, the Executive will
always have a partner that is committed to supporting this work
every step of the way.
“I am delighted that Northern Ireland will this year receive its
largest real terms financial settlement since devolution,
supporting growth and investment. Today's additional funding will
go directly towards the transformation of public services, which
the people of Northern Ireland want to see.”
Background
- The funding comes following the recommendations of the Public
Sector Transformation Board to fund six projects across health,
justice, education and infrastructure.
- The Board, comprising officials from the Northern Ireland
Civil Service and UK Government, supported by independent
experts, provides recommendations to the Executive about approval
on £235 million ringfenced funding.
- Further funding decisions will be subject to the Public
Sector Transformation Board's recommendations, of which is led
and agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive.
- The transformation funding is part of the broader £3.3
billion restoration package for Northern Ireland.
