Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan has called on the British Government to fund a fair pay rise for civil service and other public sector workers.

Jemma Dolan, the Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Workers' Rights, said: "The pay offer to civil servants is woefully inadequate. Given the current rate of inflation, this represents a substantial real-term cut to the wages of our civil service workers.

"Under the same budget constraints, the former Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, proposed a higher pay award. In the absence of an Executive, the Tories have made a lesser offer."

Miss Dolan said what is really needed is a fair pay rise for all public sector workers, including nurses and teachers, which requires additional funding from London.

"The only way to resolve this is through direct engagement with the public service unions to reach an agreed pay deal.

"This would avoid strike action, provide a fair pay increase for public sector workers, and ensure people continue to have access to vital public services."