UK Spending Review 2025: Implications for Northern Ireland

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has today delivered her Spending Review, setting out budgets for UK Government departments.

This Review has direct implications for the funding available to Stormont Ministers for public services in Northern Ireland, including areas such as social housing and reforms to the planning system.

Targeted funding for Northern Ireland
As part of a wider £2.2 billion package of targeted funding for the devolved administrations between 2026–27 and 2029–30, Northern Ireland will obtain:

• £310 million for City and Growth Deals.
• £469 million for the Northern Ireland Executive from the 2024 restoration financial package, including £185 million earmarked for public service reform.
• £50 million to support the redevelopment of Casement Park stadium, with the funding schedule to be agreed with the Executive.

Overall funding for Northern Ireland
The UK Government is providing the devolved governments with an overall £14.9 billion cash increase between 2023–24 and 2028–29, representing an average real-terms growth rate of 1% per year over the Spending Review period.

As a result, the Northern Ireland Executive will receive an average of £19.3 billion per year. This includes £1.2 billion annually via the Barnett formula, comprising £1 billion for day-to-day spending over three years and £220 million for capital investment over four years.

If you have any questions about the Spending Review, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk