14/08/2025
Executive Leaders Meet Chancellor To Outline Priorities
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Finance Minister John O'Dowd today met with Chancellor Rachel Reeves on her first official visit to Northern Ireland.
The leaders outlined the Executive's priorities and the importance of investing in public services to drive economic growth and public sector transformation.
Speaking after the meeting, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the conversation was "constructive," and she had outlined the Executive's plans for economic growth, including the new Office of AI and Digital. She highlighted Northern Ireland's potential in the AI, cyber, and RegTech sectors and discussed how the Executive can work with the UK Government to make the region "globally competitive."
The deputy First Minister also raised a number of other key issues, including the impact of a high VAT rate on the hospitality sector and the "detrimental impact" that Inheritance Tax changes will have on the farming community and agri-food sector.
Finance Minister John O'Dowd said the Executive is focused on positive change, citing a recent Spending Review agreement which will deliver an additional £600 million for public services as a result of negotiations with the Treasury. He stressed to the Chancellor the importance of increased investment to stimulate the local economy and the need for a full fiscal framework to give the Executive the financial tools to deliver sustainable public services.
The leaders outlined the Executive's priorities and the importance of investing in public services to drive economic growth and public sector transformation.
The deputy First Minister also raised a number of other key issues, including the impact of a high VAT rate on the hospitality sector and the "detrimental impact" that Inheritance Tax changes will have on the farming community and agri-food sector.
Finance Minister John O'Dowd said the Executive is focused on positive change, citing a recent Spending Review agreement which will deliver an additional £600 million for public services as a result of negotiations with the Treasury. He stressed to the Chancellor the importance of increased investment to stimulate the local economy and the need for a full fiscal framework to give the Executive the financial tools to deliver sustainable public services.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.