Ministers gather to hammer out details as budget deadline looms 

Sources have said some departments have sought 15% rises on their spending

Finance minister Simon Harris will on Tuesday tell Cabinet that he will publish his department’s white paper on Friday, setting out the financial baseline for the current and upcoming year. File picture: PA

Government leaders met late on Monday to hammer out the final shape of next week’s budget.

Finance minister Simon Harris will on Tuesday tell Cabinet that he will publish his department’s white paper on Friday, setting out the financial baseline for the current and upcoming year.