Stormont Executive Faces Criticism for Lack of Delivery

The latest report from the think tank Pivotal, titled “18 Months of the Northern Ireland Executive: A Review,” reveals a concerning trend at Stormont, where strategic plans have not translated into tangible improvements. Released in September 2025, the document highlights a political environment that, while stable since the Executive’s return in February 2024, struggles to deliver on critical public services, including health, education, and housing.

The report outlines that public services in Northern Ireland remain under severe pressure, with little evidence of meaningful progress. Pivotal criticizes the Executive for its tendency to avoid making difficult decisions regarding priorities and funding, which has resulted in stalled reforms and a lack of long-term strategies for essential areas such as infrastructure investment.

Structural Challenges and Policy Conflicts

According to the Pivotal report, there is a persistent lack of collective decision-making across departments, leading to siloed operations. Tensions arise between competing policies, such as the proposed upgrade of the A5 road versus commitments to climate change, and the management of nutrients versus water quality standards. The report emphasizes an alarming lack of urgency regarding the sustainability of public services, particularly in light of an ageing population that will place increasing demands on health resources.

The report provides several key messages for the Executive. It calls for visible improvements in public services, as citizens currently see little benefit from government initiatives. Issues such as waiting lists for healthcare, a crisis in special educational needs (SEN) support, and worsening housing shortages continue to escalate. Furthermore, the report stresses the need for credible long-term plans and a multi-year budget, which would allow for prioritization of goals identified in the Programme for Government (PfG).

Evaluating Progress Across Departments

Each department’s progress is scrutinized in the report, revealing a mix of successes and ongoing challenges.

In the area of health, while some elective and rapid care centres have opened and £215 million has been pledged to address waiting lists, the situation remains dire, with waiting times at a five-year high. The absence of a clear hospital reconfiguration plan exacerbates the crisis.

Education has seen some positive developments, such as the extension of the Childcare Subsidy Scheme and a reduction in SEN place gaps. Nevertheless, the ongoing demand for SEN support outstrips available resources, and critical strategies for early learning remain absent.

The Department of Justice has funded a £20 million Transformation Fund aimed at expediting justice processes. However, it faces significant issues, including historically low police numbers and lengthy court delays that undermine public trust in the judicial system.

The Department for the Economy has introduced the Good Jobs Bill and established a £45 million Regional Balance Fund, but businesses express concerns that reforms may impose additional burdens. Productivity remains weak, ranking eighth among twelve UK regions.

The Department for Infrastructure is grappling with planning delays and a significant funding gap exceeding £2 billion for wastewater infrastructure, which hampers housing and economic development. The clash between the A5 road scheme and environmental regulations adds another layer of complexity.

The report also notes progress in environmental initiatives, with the launch of the Lough Neagh Action Plan. Yet, only 14 of the 37 proposed actions have been implemented, indicating a lack of progress in addressing the ongoing crisis of blue-green algae in the area.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

Overall, the Pivotal report underscores a critical disconnect between the Northern Ireland Executive’s strategic ambitions and its capacity to deliver real improvements to public services. Despite some positive initiatives, the report concludes that the three systemic crises—health, housing, and environmental issues—remain unresolved, stalling visible progress across the board.

The Executive’s success will ultimately depend on its ability to translate strategies into tangible outcomes, such as reducing hospital waiting times, increasing housing availability, and effectively supporting children with special educational needs. As it stands, the report paints a picture of an administration adept at initiating plans but falling short in execution.