Government suspends Northern Ireland municipal deal funding packages

The UK government is pausing work on City Deals in Northern Ireland.

The agreements are tailored packages of funding and decision-making powers negotiated between central government and local authorities.

There are four settlements in Northern Ireland: the Belfast City, Derry City and Strabane region, the Mid South West region and the Causeway Coast and Glens.

The implications of the pause are not yet clear.

Stormont ministers are believed to have been told on Wednesday that the move was likely and asked for more time before the UK government acts.

This was not granted, and the negotiating teams will be informed on Friday.