Northern Ireland's Executive Pleads for UK Support

0:00On April 16, Northern Ireland's executive held a marathon meeting on Thursday to tackle their crumbling budget. Leaders painted a grim picture of public services on the brink. With funding stretched to the breaking point, they'd invited Secretary of State Hillary Ben, but he skipped it over diary clashes. First Minister Michelle O'Neill slammed political moves from London from ramping up the pressure on their operations. Ministers shared stark stories of how everyday services are suffering, hitting families hard across the region. It's clear the squeeze is real, with no quick fixes in sight. Now the group has pivoted, calling directly for a sit-down with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They're pushing for a cross-party delegation to lay out the dire needs face to face. Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelli stressed urgency, saying folks can't wait, and the UK government must step up with real support right now. This appeal puts the ball squarely in Starmer's court as the crisis deepens.