Shadow Finance Minister David Burt has called for both political parties to work together to help reassure investors that a change in Government would not mean a change in policies affecting big business.

“There is always scope to work — international investors need to know that when it comes to the issues that are important to our economic future that both parties are on the same page,” he said.

Mr Burt added that the Progressive Labour Party was also prepared to look at some public service mutualisation — where services are spun off from Government, but staff get a stake in the new body.

He added that the unions had accepted pay cuts, overtime cuts and furlough days.

And he said: “To say the unions are somehow unhelpful to this situation is completely wrong. What I will say is I am not an expert on labour, but I am an expert on people.

“You have to bring everybody to the table and be honest in the process.”

Mr Burt added: “I believe the unions have shown their willingness to compromise — industry has shown less willingness to compromise.”