Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Northern Ireland on Thursday for his first official visit to the region since taking office. The visit is set to include community engagements in Belfast before meetings with the leaders of the region's main political parties.
Ahead of the visit, Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill called for a "fair budget settlement that actually works for public services," stating that current funding levels are insufficient. Talks between Treasury officials and the executive have been ongoing over the summer.
Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant had previously expressed concern that a Stormont budget had yet to be agreed. He suggested the executive might consider revenue-raising measures but indicated a willingness to assist with significant budgetary pressures.
Burnham is expected to meet with young people in Belfast to discuss issues impacting their lives and aspirations. These engagements include discussions with teenagers and staff involved in mentoring schemes within the city's creative music scene, which supports local artists and promotes Belfast as a UNESCO City of Music.
"People in Northern Ireland want more breathing space from the cost of living, good, well-paid jobs and opportunities for their children," Burnham stated before his visit. He added that "political point-scoring in the past has made this harder, not easier" and expressed a desire to "work with the Northern Ireland Executive and the main political parties to try and make a real difference to communities here."
Burnham's visit follows an official trip to south Wales earlier on Thursday. In the autumn, he plans to convene a summit with the leaders of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to discuss boosting the UK economy.