The budget for Northern Ireland

This scheme of work explores how the Northern Ireland Budget is developed, allocated and scrutinised, and why decisions about public spending matter.

Learners develop their understanding of taxation, government departments and the distribution of public money, while considering competing priorities and the challenges involved in budget allocation.

Across the scheme, learners complete practical activities, use numerical skills to examine departmental spending, discuss spending priorities and investigate the democratic role of the Northern Ireland Executive, Assembly and public in the budget process.

The scheme supports learners to understand how government decisions about public money affect public services and how spending is monitored.