Northern Ireland's voluntary and community sector faces up to 400 redundancies as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund ends and the Local Growth Fund begins on 1 April. Sixty-four organisations depend on this funding, which drops from £25m annually to just over £9m.

Celine McStravick, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, stated the shift from mostly resource funding to capital prioritisation will end services like training and employability programs. Some staff received redundancy notices and will finish on 31 March due to uncertainty.

McStravick noted the Local Growth Fund, run by the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government, lacks a program tailored to local needs. She warned of impacts on health and education, including longer waiting lists and reduced mental health diversions.

Secretary of State Hilary Benn suggested last week that the Stormont Executive ringfence additional Treasury funds to cover a £15.8m gap for 2026/27. He raised this in the Commons on Wednesday, citing resources available to the Executive for economic inactivity programs.

Finance Minister John O'Dowd met UK government officials on the issue in October and maintains Westminster must sustain post-Brexit funding. The Executive faces budget pressures and cannot cover the shortfall.

Diane Hill, chief executive of Include Youth, said her group, which aids care-experienced young people with employment, may have to reject clients. David Babington, chief executive of Action Mental Health, reported over 80 staff losses from 1 April, affecting support for 900 people next year, many with severe mental health needs.