Mr McGuinness said today: “Sinn Féin will support the current budget Bill to create the space to resolve out-standing issues and ensure the Executive has workable and sustainable finances and the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement.

“We need to ensure that the Executive has the resources to continue to build a peaceful, inclusive and tolerant society.

“There remains a fundamental challenge for the Executive around welfare protections.

“But while we explore a way forward on this issue, the other important elements of the Stormont House Agreement, including the essential legacy mechanisms, should and must proceed.

“This budget bill does not involve any reduction in social security support for the most vulnerable in our society.

“And it does not contain any in year reductions as a consequence of the £25 billion of further cuts announced by the Tories.

“Any further cut to our budget will dramatically impact on front line services, on our economy and on our society.

“That is not sustainable and it is a scenario that is not acceptable to Sinn Fein.”