The Northern Ireland Executive has come under fire for failing to provide sufficient cost of living support.

This comes after new figures from the Department of Finance revealed a £83.9 million resource DEL underspend across Executive Departments. These 2021-22 Provisional Outturn figures also showed a 35.9m Capital DEL underspend which will see more than £10m handed back to the treasury.

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has criticised the significant underspends, commenting: "There are thousands of families across Northern Ireland who, for the first time, find themselves struggling to make ends meet despite working every hour they can. People who are being hit hardest by spiralling energy costs and other household bills will find it incredible that Executive Ministers are set to hand back millions to the Treasury in the face of the most severe household finance crisis in memory.

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"The hard truth is that while Ministers have provided limited support, there are thousands of people across our communities who have received nothing and, under current plans, will receive nothing. That isn't good enough."

The Foyle MP added: "The SDLP has an action plan to address the cost of living crisis that would get support directly to every household that needs it. We have a plan to expand free school meal entitlement to make sure that no child goes hungry. We are ready to get to work to address this crisis.

"75 days on from an election where every Executive party promised support for families in the face of this crisis and they've failed to deliver anything. It is time for Ministers to get on with their jobs. It is time for the DUP to get back to work. It is time for politics to deliver for the people we represent."