Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has accused the Stormont executive of having little “financial accountability” while also ruling out “front-loading” extra money the UK government is proposing to give over the next three years.
The executive has not agreed a budget for this year, blaming the UK’s devolution funding formula for leaving it short.
Additional funding of about £1.5bn would be released in three tranches, with £525m available this year.
One idea being suggested is that a larger chunk of the money could be spent in the first year but Sir Chris told the that was not on offer.
“There is no front-loading to be done,” he told Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme.
“I’ve made it absolutely clear about 17 times now, both to members of the executive and to others, that there is no additional money beyond the £525m we have set aside for this year.”