Extra Stormont funding in Spring Statement for public services

The Northern Ireland Executive is to receive an additional £380m for public services over the next three years, the Treasury has said.

The money is largely NI's share of new funding announced for special education in England.

Stormont ministers will have to decide how to to use the money and are not required to spend it on special education.

The Executive recently received what was effectively a £400m loan from the Treasury to prevent an overspend.

That loan is due to be paid back in three tranches: £80m in the coming financial year, £160m in 2027 and £160m in 2028.

The new money could potentially cover most of those repayments.

The Treasury said Northern Ireland will also receive an additional £10m for infrastructure spending.

The announcement came as part of the Chancellor's Spring Statement.

Stormont ministers are yet to agree a planned three year budget which should take effect next month.

It was published in draft form by the finance minister in January.

However the draft has been rejected by other parties with the Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly describing it as "deeply flawed."

If a budget cannot be agreed by the start of the financial year in April there are well established procedures which will roll forward the previous year's funding and allow ministers to keep spending.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said: "This is money the Northern Ireland Executive can use to deliver transformation of public services, fiscal stability and economic growth.

"I encourage the Northern Ireland Executive to use this as an opportunity to agree to a multi-year budget and take the necessary steps to deliver long-term budget sustainability."