A Sinn Fein minister has accused Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn of showing a “blatant disregard” for communities in the region after he challenged the Stormont Executive to reform public services. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said through his comments, Mr Benn has become an “apologist for a Tory austerity agenda”. Mr Benn told an audience in Belfast on Tuesday that over many years, decisions necessary to improve the health service and other public services had simply not been taken by Stormont ministers.

Ms Archibald was appointed by her party to the economy role this week. Previously she had held the finance ministry and led negotiations with the Treasury to secure additional funding for public services. She said: “Hilary Benn’s comments demonstrate a blatant disregard for communities here and for our democratically elected political institutions. “Neither Mr Benn nor his government have any democratic mandate here.

“Rather than advocating for the people of the north of Ireland, as his title suggests he should, he has become an apologist for a Tory austerity agenda which his own government has now adopted and which has stripped our public services to the bone. “When Hilary Benn talks about ‘difficult choices’ he really means punitive taxes, additional charges and increased costs for struggling workers and families.”.

Ms Archibald said Executive ministers are engaged every day making decisions for the people of Northern Ireland. She added: “We know the issues because we live here and in our communities. “Mr Benn’s government have shamefully cut the winter fuel payment for older people. “It has introduced plans to increase tax on family farms and is increasing taxes which will damage or destroy small businesses.”.

During his speech, the Secretary of State also addressed the issue of reform of the Stormont institutions, stating agreement on that would have to come from the Northern Ireland parties. But Alliance Party deputy leader Eoin Tennyson said Mr Benn cannot be a “passive observer” over the issue of reform. He said: “The biggest challenge facing our public services has been the repeated cycle of crisis and collapse, which have damaged them repeatedly.

“If we want to see reform of public services, we need to start by reforming our political institutions so we have stable government which cannot be held to ransom. “The Secretary of State and UK Government, in conjunction with the Irish Government, can begin making moves so we can see that transformation. “That would allow us to deliver on the promise of the Good Friday Agreement and deliver the type of politics the people of Northern Ireland deserve.”.