Communiqué from the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee - 3 October 2024
Published 15 October 2024
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3 October 2024
The Minister of Finance (Northern Ireland Executive), Dr Caoimhe Archibald chaired a meeting of the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee (F:ISC) on 3 October in Belfast. The meeting was attended by the Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury (UK Government), Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Scottish Government) and Mark Drakeford MS, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language (Welsh Government).
This represented the first time that the F:ISC has met since the UK General Election and the formation of a new Labour Government, and the appointment of Mark Drakeford, MS as the Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language.
All Ministers acknowledged a shared interest in resetting relationships and working collaboratively to drive economic growth and deliver the vital public services on which our citizens depend.
Ministers discussed the current challenging fiscal and economic context as well as fiscal plans and budgetary flexibilities. Funding for 2024-25 as well as the upcoming multi-year UK Spending Review and Autumn Budget were also discussed.
Ministers went on to discuss collaborative working and shared priorities. Ministers agreed on the importance and value of regular in-person F:ISC meetings as a means of progressing this collaborative approach and look forward to the next planned meeting which will be hosted by the Welsh Government.