An urgent call has been made for a solution to deliver the £400 energy payment to struggling families across Northern Ireland.

This comes after the British Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi held a meeting with officials from the Departments of Economy and Finance yesterday, 15 August.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has expressed concerns that a solution has not yet been found.

The Sinn Féin MLA said: "I'm concerned that a workable solution has not yet been agreed by the Department for the Economy and the British Treasury, which would get the £400 energy payment out the door to every household in the north.

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"This needs to be done as a matter of urgency. 

"We are approaching an autumn and winter which will be extremely difficult for workers and families as the price of heating and lighting homes continues to soar. 

"Discussions are continuing to try to find a workaround to get the payment out into people's pockets but there is no doubt that the absence of a functioning Executive is making this more difficult.

"I once again urge the DUP to end its boycott of the Executive and put the interests of ordinary people first by working with the rest of us to ensure they get the support they are entitled to."