UK government to make final offer of £3.3bn to restoration of Stormont

James Cox

The UK Government is making a final offer of £3.3 billion (€3.9 billion) to the restoration of powersharing at Stormont.

That's an increase of almost £1 billion - on the original amount first announced last week.

It has just been revealed the financial package includes £34 million next year to tackle hospital waiting lists, and will allow for a pay rise for striking public sector workers.

But cash is all conditional on the resumption of powersharing, meaning the DUP would have to end its boycott.

The party has said that's not happening this side of Christmas. However, UUP leader Doug Beattie thinks they are inching closer.

Mr Beattie said: "I am still of the belief that there will not be a deal before Christmas, but I do believe there may be a soft acceptance of a deal before Christmas, rolling into the New Year when things may pick up again."

A host of Northern Ireland business leaders have written to political parties urging them to press forward to agree a resumption of a fully funded devolved government.

The business alliance – which includes the Centre for Competitiveness, CBI Northern Ireland, IoD Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce & Industry – has written to both the British Northern Ireland secretary of state and political party leaders, urging them to maintain momentum in talks over the coming days, “in order to reach agreement at pace”.