Britain starts process of imposing an annual budget on Northern Ireland
Belfast — The British government is to begin the process of directly imposing an annual budget for Northern Ireland, after parties there failed to restore the region’s devolved government. However, Britain’s minister for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, said talks between the parties would continue and if an executive were formed, the budget process could be handed back. A budget set by the British government would be a major step towards a return to direct rule from London for the first time in a decade, which could destabilise the delicate political balance in Northern Ireland. "While important progress has been made in discussions between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein towards the establishment of an executive, it has not yet been possible for the parties to reach agreement," Brokenshire said. "I am, therefore, now taking forward the necessary steps that would enable a budget bill to be introduced at Westminster at the appropriate moment in order to protect...
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