Ministers cannot agree budget without increased funding, O’Dowd warns

Sinn Féin finance minister John O’Dowd gives an update on budget negotiations (Claudia Savage/PA) - (PA Wire)

The Stormont Executive will not be able to set a budget without an improved funding offer from the UK Government, finance minister John O’Dowd has said.

Mr O’Dowd said ministers were still not in a position to bring the budget impasse to an end following a virtual meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant on Friday.