“We, the undersigned, are concerned that your current economic programme for government will not transform the economic orthodoxy that has made this country poorer, less cohesive and more unequal than fifteen years ago,” the letter says.

“The maintenance or extension of cuts in the current economic climate will only serve to deepen the poverty and hardship many are already facing.

“We believe it is the duty of an opposition to, where necessary, present an alternative vision for the future and when it comes to economics.”