First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly say the Stormont Executive is taking steps toward resolving its budget situation, even as it faces an estimated £1 billion shortfall. Speaking in response to the need to agree spending plans, they state that a budget cannot be concluded under the current funding settlement. The leaders’ comments indicate ongoing negotiations on the financial basis required to reach agreement, with the gap acting as a key barrier to finalising budgets. While they present their position as constructive, the ministers’ message also underscores that the Executive is constrained by the level of funding currently available. Overall, the outlets report the same core point: the Executive frames its progress as part of efforts to reach a workable settlement, but it cannot reach agreement on the budget without changes to the funding arrangement. The reported £1 billion gap remains central to the dispute over whether Stormont can approve a budget and how soon an agreement can be reached.