Overview
- The consultation runs from 6 January to 3 March 2026, with the public invited to submit views and suggest funding trade-offs.
- The draft sets almost £26 billion for health, including £495 million to cut waiting lists, and nearly £10 billion for education over the planning period.
- Officials described it as a very difficult budget with a finite funding envelope and urged action to reduce Executive overspend.
- Capital plans include over £4 billion for infrastructure such as the A5, A6 and Belfast Transport Hub, £441.7 million for new social homes, £433.7 million for water capacity and £24 million for the SEN schools’ estate.
- The proposal would fully meet £133.3 million in PSNI workforce recovery costs, while the SDLP condemned the plan as unambitious and the DUP said it will not accept it.