Ms Eastwood said: “Real, sustainable growth cannot be sought on the backs of working families and our society’s most vulnerable, both in Northern Ireland and right across the UK.

“For years the two child benefit cap has pushed families into hardship, and its removal represents a long-overdue correction to a cruelly unjust policy.

“Beyond that, today’s Budget once again exemplifies this government’s failure to deliver tangible change. Between rising living costs and falling living standards, the consequences are plain to see.

“The continued freeze on income tax thresholds remains a concerning ‘stealth’ tax, pulling more and more people into higher tax bands, and costing households significantly in the long run. I’m also deeply disappointed to see no VAT cut for hospitality, despite the pressure this sector continues to face. Nor was there any reversal, or even acknowledgement, of the damage caused by the changes to Agricultural Property Relief, which have left farming families exposed at a time when food security has never been more important.

“For Northern Ireland in particular, investment is limited. It’s now absolutely vital that the Finance Minister acts urgently to replicate the business rates support being offered to SMEs in Great Britain. Our small businesses cannot be left at a competitive disadvantage yet again.

“This Budget offered the Chancellor another opportunity to ease the strain on people who are already stretched to breaking point. Instead, the wider picture remains unchanged, depicting an economy weakened by years of poor decision-making, and a government ignoring the needs of ordinary people, small businesses, and rural communities.”