Spring Forecast 2026-03-25
2026-03-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the potential economic impact of the 2026 spring forecast on Northern Ireland.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the spring forecast 2026 on Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland will directly benefit from the spring forecast, with almost £390 million in additional funding to the Executive over the next three years, including £231 million in 026-27. That is money that the Executive can use to deliver on its priorities, which include transforming public services and promoting economic growth.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the necessity for the Northern Ireland Executive to produce a balanced, multi-year budget with the record level of investment announced.
Does the Secretary of State agree that, with that record level of investment, it is now for the Executive to produce a balanced, multi-year budget that will deliver for the people of Northern Ireland?
I agree with my hon. Friend. The Government have taken a decision to enable the Executive, if they wish to do so, to agree a multi-year budget. Discussions are taking place, we have had the open book exercise and I hope that the Northern Ireland Executive, given those considerable additional resources, will be able to find a way forward.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the government's refusal to take action on economic issues and their inactivity regarding costs of the Windsor framework.
Why are the Government ignoring the real issues that face the Northern Ireland economy, through both their actions and their inactivity?
I do not accept the right hon. Gentleman's characterisation of what the Government are doing. We have brought economic stability to the country after the disaster of the previous Government, we have given record support to the Northern Ireland Executive and we are working through our negotiations with the EU to reduce the impact of the Windsor framework.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP's characterisation of what the government is doing
I Do Not Accept
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the Secretary of State's work on conversations to find alternative funding sources for the charity sector because of disappointment over local growth fund split.
Will he update the House on his conversations?
Yes; I am working hard, together with the voluntary sector and, I hope, the Executive to find a way forward. There is £9 million available in resource to fund those schemes from 1 April.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the Secretary of State's commitment to publishing findings from the open book exercise on how Departments of Northern Ireland Executive are spending their block grant allocations.
Will the Secretary of State commit to publishing their findings?
There will be a report from the Treasury to the Northern Ireland Executive. It is for the Executive to take the decision, but I say from this Dispatch Box that I would welcome its publication.
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Assessment & feedback
The commitment to publishing findings
It Is For The Executive To Take The Decision
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning whether the Secretary of State agrees with Unite the union that the government's disastrous national insurance rises have led to job losses in the hospitality sector.
Does the Secretary of State agree with Unite the union, of which I know he is a member, that this is the result of the Government's disastrous national insurance rises?
The national insurance rise decision that the Chancellor took in her first Budget was necessary because of the woeful economic legacy left to this Government by their predecessor.
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Assessment & feedback
Agreement on the impact of national insurance rises
It Is Necessary
Response accuracy