News of more energy price increases has put greater emphasis on the need for an Executive in Northern Ireland immediately, a Sinn Féin MLA has said.

New energy price hikes came into affect on Friday 01 July, with families and individuals forced to pay even more for gas and electricity.

Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has called for the urgent formation of an Executive to tackle the rising cost of living.

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"We need an Executive up and running today so that we can start working together to put money in people's pockets and deal with the rising cost of living," said Archibald.

"There is £435 million sitting in the Executive bank account unspent - that money could help tackle the pressures that people are facing. But we need a functioning Executive to spend it. 

"The DUP need to stop blocking an Executive, so we can give people that help right away. They must put the interests of ordinary people first. 

"Likewise, rather than driving instability and uncertainty in the north, the Tories should focus on making big energy companies who are making a fortune from ordinary people shoulder the burden of rising costs, not ordinary people who are struggling to heat their homes."