Andy Burnham has said he wants to help “move things forward” with regard to solving Stormont’s budget crisis.
However, the Prime Minister dampened down hopes of any immediate cash injection for public services when he said he was in “listening mode” during his first visit to Northern Ireland since entering Downing Street.
Mr Burnham will meet later with First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Stormont political parties to discuss financial pressures in the region.
Devolved ministers have failed to agree a budget for the current financial year, with departments operating on contingency budgets since April.
Ministers have consistently made the point that they need more funding from the Treasury to address a funding crisis facing public services in Northern Ireland.
Asked about the budget impasse during a visit to the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast, the Prime Minister said: “I am five weeks in office and I am here in Northern Ireland because I want to work with the new Northern Ireland Secretary to see if we can move things forward, listen to what people have to say.
“I realise how pressing it is, I realise the concern people have, but we are here because we want to listen.
“We want to have an honest exchange, I think there are things we would say, if we can work together, have a look at where possible savings could be made or where things could be done differently, that’s right and proper that I ask for those assurances given that we have got to make sure it is fair across the whole of the UK when it comes to a budget.”
He added: “I am saying I am here to have that honest conversation, and I am somebody who comes with an open mind.
“My emphasis is on problem solving in this job. I love this part of the world, I am a regular visitor.
“I want to see people here with a budget, with public services set up to succeed.
“That is what I want to try and achieve working with the Northern Ireland Secretary but first and foremost we have to sit around that table and hear where all the parties are.
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