Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn invites leaders of Northern Ireland’s Executive parties to talks at Hillsborough Castle as budget discussions begin. Multiple reports say Benn is urging the UK government to address a perceived funding “faultline” affecting Northern Ireland. The meetings bring together leaders from the Executive parties to discuss the financial arrangements and the wider budget process for Northern Ireland. The outlets frame the engagement as an effort to resolve uncertainty around funding and to prevent disruption ahead of key budget decisions. The reports do not provide specific details of the funding dispute, figures, or the precise changes being sought, but they agree on the central point: Benn is convening party leaders to try to reach a clearer position before and during budget negotiations. The discussions are presented as taking place within the lead-up to formal budget planning, with attention on the impact of funding issues on the Executive and services in Northern Ireland.