Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Now that we have had confirmation by the Northern Ireland Office that the Civil Service can release the money needed to fund a 1% pay increase for health service workers there should be no more delay.
“I suspect that there was a school of thought which believed that delaying the pay rise would increase pressure on the DUP and Sinn Fein to cut a deal. It is obvious that hasn’t worked as Republicans clearly have no interest in going back into Stormont at present.
“So get on with it Mr Sterling. Give our nurses the pay rise they are entitled to. There’s no reason for delay.”