DUP and Sinn Féin clash over budget talks format as parties give diverging assessments ahead of NI Secretary meeting

The DUP has voiced cautious hope that the Stormont funding gap could "potentially close" after next Wednesday's UK Budget, while Sinn Féin warned London's offer "still runs far short" of what services need. Sir Chris Bryant still insists there is no more money beyond the £1.5bn already offered to Stormont. Party leaders have given sharply differing assessments of where talks stand, with a fresh row breaking out over how and whether to meet the NI Secretary jointly. Departments have been capped at 95% of last year's spending since April.

Without a budget, Northern Ireland's public sector workers cannot receive their long-awaited pay awards.

Emma Little-Pengelly accused the First Minister of 'recklessness' for snubbing a joint Treasury meeting.

Bryant has hit out at 'irresponsible' overspending by Stormont's ministers.