The United Kingdom Government has put forward a funding package worth more than £1.5 billion for the Northern Ireland Executive. The details were confirmed by Sir Chris Bryant, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, following talks with Executive parties and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

The offer includes £1.25 billion in additional funding over three years, £150 million to transform public services, £100 million for social housing, and £75 million to address fraud and error in the benefit system.

Bryant called on Executive ministers to accept the support and finalise a budget to end uncertainty for public services. He said the package represents a major contribution from the UK Government at a time of significant strain on the public finances. He noted that nearly all other government departments are being required to make significant savings.

He urged party leaders to work together to put together a balanced budget based on these figures. Bryant said he wants a resolution as soon as possible, as the stalemate has gone on too long and people in Northern Ireland are being left in limbo.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has written to the Secretary of State asking him to defer Thursday's deadline for the Executive to agree a three year budget by a short, defined period. Burrows said a short extension would allow leaders to address the immediate situation, consult properly, and return to the budget with seriousness.

Burrows said Northern Ireland urgently needs a balanced three year budget, and that his party's position on Garvaghy Road is unchanged: anyone who broke the law must face consequences. He said they can hold people to account while delivering for patients, pupils and public sector workers.