About us

We ensure the smooth working of the devolution settlement in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Northern Ireland interests are fully and effectively represented at Westminster and the heart of Government, and the Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Northern Ireland.

Our key purpose is to make politics work by working alongside the Northern Ireland Executive to help improve the effectiveness and delivery of the devolved institutions; to ensure a more secure Northern Ireland; deliver a growing economy including rebalancing the economy; and ensure a stronger society by supporting initiatives designed to build better community relations and a genuinely shared future.

Lead ministers:

Rt. Hon James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland;

Choe Smith MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and

Lord Bourne, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Lead official:

Sir Jonathan Stephens, Permanent Secretary for the Northern Ireland Office

Objectives 2015 to 2020

  • Making politics work
  • A more secure Northern Ireland
  • A growing economy
  • A stronger society

Find out more about the UK Government’s commitments to to the people of Northern Ireland

Corporate information

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Jobs and contracts

Read about the types of information we routinely publish in our Publication scheme.

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