The Stormont Executive’s ability to mitigate against “detrimental” decisions made by the Chancellor in the Budget is “very restricted”, John O’Dowd has told MLAs.

The Finance Minister urged Rachel Reeves to use the autumn Budget to invest in public services.

Ms Reeves will lay out her spending plans in the Commons on Wednesday.

During question time at the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr O’Dowd urged her to scrap the two-child benefit cap, stating it was having a “harmful impact” on families.

Asked about his engagement with the Treasury ahead of the Budget, the minister said he “recognised the scale of the financial challenge facing the Westminster Government”.

He added: “Investment in public services is key to growing the economy.

“Economic growth and improved public services c

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