The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and Alliance Party have criticised the DUP's decision to withdraw from joint engagements with the First Minister, including attendence at a UK-wide Economic Forum in Glasgow.

The forum, held on Friday, 30 October, sought to bring together the Prime Minister and leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to discuss economic growth, investment and the benefits of the Union.

UUP Leader Jon Burrows said the decision to keep Northern Ireland out of the discussions would ultimately punish the region rather than First Minister Michelle O'Neill.

He said: "Tomorrow the Prime Minister and the leaders of Scotland and Wales will meet in Glasgow to talk about growth, investment and what the Union can deliver. Keeping Northern Ireland out of the room does not punish Michelle O'Neill. It punishes Northern Ireland and lets down everyone who believes in its future within the United Kingdom."

Mr Burrows described the DUP's absence as an act of "self-harm" for Northern Ireland's economy and the Union, arguing that the region needed representation alongside the Prime Minister and other devolved leaders.

He suggested that, if Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly was unwilling to attend, another Executive Minister should represent Northern Ireland.

He identified Health Minister Robbie Butler as an "obvious choice", saying he would attend to make Northern Ireland's case rather than make a political point. Mr Burrows added that unionism should be focused on strengthening the Union and making Northern Ireland more successful.

"You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty," he said.

Meanwhile, Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA accused the DUP of putting "cynical party politics ahead of people's livelihoods".

He said the decision to withdraw from joint engagements was particularly damaging at a time when Northern Ireland was seven months into the financial year without an agreed budget, families were facing rising costs and public sector workers were balloting for strike action over pay.

Mr Tennyson described the move as a "cynical and self-indulgent stunt", arguing that the Economic Forum presented an opportunity to discuss economic growth and prosperity, while raising the need for fair funding for Northern Ireland's public services.

He also highlighted the region's dual-market access, technology sector, advanced manufacturing and life sciences industries, alongside its skilled workforce, as strengths that could have been promoted to the UK Government.

"Our businesses deserve political leaders who get into the room, make that case and get the support to grow," he said.

Mr Tennyson accused the DUP of placing its own political interests ahead of the public interest, adding that people were "rightly exhausted by this constant cycle of drama, dysfunction and ransom politics".

He said Alliance would remain focused on securing an agreed budget, fighting for fair pay for public sector workers and delivering for communities across Northern Ireland.