Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire has been criticised for not backing interim compensation payments to survivors of child abuse.

Last week, the Panel of Experts on Redress met David Sterling, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service to discuss making interim payments while the devolved institutions are not functioning.

The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry found that child abuse survivors are entitled to redress, but the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive means no redress scheme has been put in place.

Sir Anthony Hart, a retired judge of the High Court, submitted the inquiry’s final report to the Executive Office in January 2017.

Margaret McGuckin of Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (SAVIA), a member of the Panel of Experts on Redress, told BBC News that Mr Sterling had told them the “only way forward is for the secretary of state to introduce emergency legislation”.

A spokesperson for the UK government said Mr Brokenshire had made “no decisions” on the issue, but that it “remains a devolved issue”.

The spokesperson added: “He continues to urge the parties to seek urgent resolution to restore the executive so that a response can be provided to Sir Anthony’s report at the earliest opportunity.”