Bryant says Budget will take time on first Stormont trip
Northern Ireland's new Secretary of State, Chris Bryant, has begun his first official visit to Belfast with a focus on listening to local parties rather than immediate financial commitments. He emphasized the need for a stable budget and improved public services, particularly within the NHS.
Why it matters
The visit marks the start of a new political tenure in Northern Ireland, where addressing budget deficits and public service delivery remains a high-stakes challenge for the power-sharing government.
Northern Ireland's new Secretary of State Chris Bryant has said he has arrived for his first official visit with a "check list" rather than a "cheque book".
Mr Bryant arrived in the region for his first official visit in post earlier and visited defence systems plant Thales in east Belfast ahead of meeting the Stormont parties later.
It is his first trip to Belfast as Secretary of State to meet the power-sharing parties, at a time when the budget remains outstanding with calls for further funding for the Stormont administration.
He said he is not expecting any decisions to be made today about the Stormont budget.
Speaking to media in Belfast, Mr Byrant said he will be in "listening mode".
"I am not expecting us to be making decisions, I am in very much listening mode. We have two ears and one mouth for good reason," he said.
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