\n<\/p>\n
Executive parties have been in negotiations with the government in a bid to get increased funding.<\/p>\n
While the government’s offer has not changed, Sir Chris spoke to executive parties on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
He is expecting to hear back from them next week as to whether they will accept what is on the table.<\/p>\n
“I cannot emphasise enough how tight the financial situation is and the pressure on the public finances,” Bryant said.<\/p>\n
He said the \u00a31.5bn “gives the executive the chance to manage its immediate pressures, and move towards a more sustainable footing”.<\/p>\n
“Not just this, it supports them in delivering much-needed transformation of public services, and to invest in social housing,” he added.<\/p>\n
He urged politicians to get together and work out a balanced budget as a “matter of urgency based on these figures”.<\/p>\n
Sir Chris added that this “requires the executive to recognise the financial landscape across the UK , and do its bit, to find efficiencies and to raise additional revenue”.<\/p>\n
However Finance Minister John O’Dowd previously said the current published financial pressures facing Stormont departments were around \u00a31.6bn, adding: “So we have a bit to go.”<\/p>\n
A Sinn F\u00e9in spokesperson said the “current offer from the British government falls well short of what is required to fund, transform and improve our public services”.<\/p>\n
“The north receives less in funding than Wales and Scotland which if addressed would give us a transformative increase of between \u00a31 billion and \u00a33 billion.<\/p>\n
“People here pay their taxes and have the right to properly funded public services and our public service workers deserve proper pay settlements.”<\/p>\n
It is not clear what will happen if the executive refuses to accept the offer from the government.<\/p>\n
Sir Chris could seek to pass a budget bill for the executive via Westminster, but this would prove a contentious move in a period of devolution.<\/p>\n
The offer on the table from the government includes \u00a3450m extra for day-to-day pressures this year, as well as an additional \u00a3400m in 2027\/28 and 2028\/29.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n