Commentary on Sections
Sections 1 and 2: Use of resources and limits on use of resources in year ending 31 March 2026
Sections 1 and 2 authorise the use of resources by Northern Ireland departments and other specified public bodies amounting to £30,772,659,000 for 2025-26 for the purposes specified in Part 2 of the estimates set out in Schedule 1. The authorisations in sections 1 and 2 supersede those made by sections 1 and 2 of the Budget Act (Northern Ireland) 2025.
Sections 3 and 4: Issue and use of sum out of the Consolidated Fund for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2026
Sections 3 and 4 authorise the Department of Finance to issue out of the Consolidated Fund for Northern Ireland the sum of £27,431,599,000 for 2025-26 for the purposes set out in Part 2 of the estimates set out in Schedule 1. The authorisations in sections 3 and 4 supersede those made by sections 3 and 4 of the Budget Act (Northern Ireland) 2025.
Section 5: Power to Borrow for the year ending 31 March 2026
Section 5 authorises the Department of Finance to borrow a sum or sums up to approximately half of the sum specified in section 3. This is a normal safeguard against the possibility of a temporary deficiency arising in the Consolidated Fund for Northern Ireland. Any sum borrowed is to be repaid by 31 March 2026.
Section 6: Use of Income for the year ending 31 March 2026
Section 6 authorises the use of income by Northern Ireland departments and specified public bodies from a source specified in Part 3 of the estimates set out in Schedule 1 for the purposes specified in Part 2 of those estimates, subject to certain conditions.
Section 7: Interpretation
Section 7 is self-explanatory.
Section 8: Short Title
Section 8 sets out the short title of the Budget (No 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2025.
Schedule to the Act
Schedule 1: Estimates for the year ending 31 March 2026.
