Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA has described his party's meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham as a constructive engagement, after the delegation set out three priorities: a multi-year budget, strategic investment in the economy, and a transformed health service.

Jon Burrows said:

“It was great to welcome the Prime Minister to Northern Ireland, an integral part of the United Kingdom. As the party for Northern Ireland, the party of responsible government and the party of reason, our message was clear: his commitment to growth in every postcode must include Northern Ireland. He left in no doubt that we make a significant contribution to this country, through our economy, our skills base and our world-class agri-food sector.

“We shared our ambition to make Northern Ireland the most successful place it can be, and we took three key messages into that room.

“First, we need support in securing a multi-year budget so we can plan for sustainable public services. But that cuts both ways. Spending and government in Northern Ireland has to become more responsible.

“Second, we made the case for far more strategic investment in Northern Ireland so we can grow our economy and make this a prosperous place for everyone, and particularly for our young people.

“Third, we went into considerable detail on the challenges facing health and on what we want to deliver, which is a transformed service with far faster access to NHS treatment. That is what families across Northern Ireland deserve.

“On the constitutional question, despite Sinn Féin's false promises and vocal protestations, a border poll is no closer today than when the Good Friday Agreement was signed. Yesterday was a hard reality check for Sinn Féin. Our party secured the Union and we will keep working to strengthen it. But people want more than a stronger Union. They want better governance, and they would far rather see energy put into delivery than into permanent agitation. Our roads are crumbling. What people deserve is functioning public services and a government focused on providing them.

“It was a genuinely constructive engagement and we left clear that we want to do business together. Our task now is to create the opportunities that mean this place thrives and does not just survive.”