Committee publication · Estimate memoranda · 30 April 2026
Northern Ireland Office Main Estimates Memorandum 2026-27 - Annex B
Summary
This Estimate memorandum sets out the Northern Ireland Office's (NIO) funding requirements for 2026-27. The NIO, supporting the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, requests £26.3 billion net cash, comprising £98.8 million for departmental resource and capital spending and £26.16 billion for grants to the Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund to support devolved public services. Key spending areas include administrative costs, bodies such as the Human Rights Commission and Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, elections, and legacy inquiries.
Key findings
- Net Cash Requirement of £26,353,105,000 for 2026-27, down from £27,427,713,000 in 2025-26—a £1.07 billion decrease
- Grant to Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund of £26,160,195,000, representing 99.3% of total cash requirement
- Departmental Expenditure Limit (resource) of £74,084,000 covering NIO administration and supported bodies including the Human Rights Commission, Parades Commission, Independent Reporting Commission, and the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery
- Capital expenditure of £10,792,000, with £7,881,000 allocated to the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery
- Department recovered £7,150,000 in income from sales of goods and services (estate fees, video conferencing, interagency cost recovery)
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Northern Ireland Office, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Parades Commission for Northern Ireland, Independent Reporting Commission, Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, Julie Harrison (Accounting Officer), Northern Ireland Assembly
Notable line
“The Estimate provides for the costs of the Northern Ireland Office and its associated bodies, the salaries of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, his Ministers, and a grant to the Northern Ireland Consolidated fund.”
Key Quotes
“The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in delivering the Government's strategic priorities for Northern Ireland.”
“It provides for the oversight of the effective operation of the devolution settlement in Northern Ireland and the representation of Northern Ireland interests within the UK Government.”
“Authorisation of expenditure by the Northern Ireland Executive is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗