The UK Government will provide a £2bn injection of financial support to the new Northern Ireland Executive which will end the nurses’ pay dispute, transform public services, turbocharge infrastructure investment and address Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances.

The financial package will be accompanied by stringent conditions contained within the New Decade, New Approach deal to deliver a greater level of accountability for public spending and ensure the new Executive is building sustainable public services.

A new UK Government - Northern Ireland Executive joint board will be established, convened by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, to oversee implementation.

Julian Smith, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said:

This £2bn injection will help transform public services in Northern Ireland, including ending the nurses’ pay dispute. New Decade, New Approach is about putting Northern Ireland’s Assembly on a sustainable footing.

This funding provides certainty to the Executive and ensures much-needed reforms across health, education and justice can be delivered.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

The Government’s financial package includes: