With Northern Ireland’s finances under intense pressure, and leadership unable to agree on spending priorities, Advice NI has revealed that the ongoing debate is becoming a source of anxiety for households. The organisation’s debt service has said people are struggling to understand what Stormont’s upcoming spending decisions on essentials such as housing, healthcare, transport, childcare and community services, means for their personal finances.
The NI Executive has launched an open consultation on the current draft budget 2026 – 2029/30. Sinead Campbell, Head of Money, Debt and Quality at Advice NI said it is crucial people engage with it.
She said, “For too long Northern Ireland has had a series of single-year budgets that have made long-term planning, and a sense of stability therein, difficult. We welcome the introduction of a multi-year strategy, but the current debate brings undue and additional uncertainty to people trying to understand what proposed spending choices may mean for them. It is not possible for any department to be provided the funding it has requested yet it’s crucial the Executive gets this budget right. The open consultation is a really important opportunity for people to share their views on how our scarce resources should be allocated.”
Kevin Higgins, Head of Policy at Advice NI said that whilst the NI Budget will impact departments differently, it is important it addresses the ongoing cost of living crisis.
He explained, “At this point it is difficult to judge what the spending priorities of each individual department will be, but we can be certain that the new NI Budget will affect them differently. However, departments must be able to introduce new measures to assist people living in poverty and struggling with the increasing costs of running a home. The litmus test for this will be the extent to which the Executive’s emerging Anti-Poverty Strategy will be fit for purpose. If properly resourced, this can make a real difference to the lives of thousands of people across the region who are struggling.”
A recent report by Advice NI revealed that the average debt owed by individuals in Northern Ireland is £11,239.
Sinead continued, “Cost-of-living pressures are intensely felt, and when household budgets stretch thin, difficult decisions have to be made. Since 2019, our debt service, supported by the Department for Communities, dealt with 25,894 clients with £301m in debt. As of today, the most common causes of debt are housing, household bills, childcare, and high interest lending often taken out to cover essentials such as food. The clear upward trend in the number of people falling into debt because costs outweigh their household income means that not only are more people in debt, but more people are likely to be at risk of debt too. Breaking this cycle is long overdue.”
As the consultation period runs, and anxiety continues to be felt, Advice NI is urging anyone feeling the impact of high costs or debt to reach out for support.
Sinead concluded, “Debt can be complex, and we recognise that reaching out for help can be daunting, but our advisers provide a free, confidential and impartial service. We are here to help. Every day we see the detriment that debt can have on people’s wellbeing and our aim is to alleviate the burden -there is no need to feel shame or judgement.
“In addition to the debt service, Advice NI also helps people to navigate welfare systems to access their rights and entitlements. Last year, we helped 290,000 people to claim back £146 million. This is money directly into people’s pockets representing warmer homes, food on the table and ultimately an improved standard of living.”
For more information visit adviceni.net or call 0800 915 4604 to speak confidentially with an expert advisor.
