Jon Burrows calls for extension to Stormont budget deadline amid political tensions
Stormont Parliament Buildings and (inset) Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows
Tuesday 29 September 2026
Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has called on Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant to extend Thursday’s deadline for the Executive to agree a three-year budget, arguing that recent political tensions have made agreement within the current timeframe unlikely.
Mr Burrows confirmed on Monday that he had written directly to the Secretary of State seeking what he described as a “short, defined” extension, while stressing that the UUP still wants a balanced multi-year budget agreed.
The intervention comes as Executive parties face pressure to reach agreement following the UK Government’s offer of more than £1.5 billion in additional support for Northern Ireland.
Call for short extension
Mr Burrows said the request should not be interpreted as an attempt to allow the budget process to drift.
“I have written to the Secretary of State today asking him to defer Thursday’s budget deadline by a short, defined period.
“Northern Ireland urgently needs a balanced three-year budget, and this is not a request to let that process drift. But the Secretary of State has asked party leaders to agree a way forward together. Given the strain on political relationships since the weekend, a considered response by Thursday looks unlikely.”
He argued that additional time would allow political leaders to deal with the immediate tensions before returning to negotiations over Northern Ireland’s finances.
“A short extension would allow leaders to address the immediate situation, consult properly and return to the budget with the seriousness it deserves.”
Garvaghy Road dispute adds to political strain
Mr Burrows linked his request to the deterioration in political relationships following events surrounding the Garvaghy Road dispute at the weekend.
He maintained the UUP’s position that anyone found to have broken the law should face consequences, while arguing that political leaders must also continue working towards a longer-term resolution.
“Our position on Garvaghy Road is unchanged: anyone who broke the law must face consequences. We also need to find a resolution to this dispute for the long term. We can hold people to account while delivering for patients, pupils and public sector workers. They rely on us to work for them, and we intend to do both.”
More than £1.5bn offered by Westminster
The deadline comes against the backdrop of a new UK Government funding proposal intended to help the Executive reach agreement on its finances.
The package includes £1.25 billion in additional funding over three years, £150 million for transforming public services, £100 million for social housing and £75 million to tackle fraud and error in the benefits system.
Sir Chris has urged Executive parties to reach agreement urgently, with the continuing absence of a multi-year budget creating uncertainty for departments attempting to plan spending across health, education and other public services.
The immediate decision for the Secretary of State is now whether to maintain Thursday’s deadline or grant the short extension requested by the UUP, as Executive parties attempt to resolve both the budget negotiations and the political tensions of recent days.
