News of a funding shortfall in Northern Ireland's social housing budget has prompted a UK construction union to seek an urgent meeting with the Stormont Housing Minister.

The Union of Construction, Allied Tradesmen and Technicians (UCATT) wants to hold talks with Margaret Ritchie after she revealed her department is facing £200m funding gap over the next two years.

The Minister warned, that unless radical changes are made to her budget, the building of 1,500 new social homes would remain at risk.

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Michael Kiddle, UCATT’s regional official in Northern Ireland, said: "I am seeking an urgent meeting with the relevant ministers to discuss the shortfall. It is essential that jobs are protected and that as many new housing units are built as possible, to help kick-start the housing industry in Northern Ireland."

UCATT has called on the Government to provide a major investment in social housing for rent.

The union believes this will help to return confidence to the construction industry, get skilled house builders back to work, provide homes for homeless families and protect the construction supply chain.

See: Social New Builds At Risk, Warns Minister

(PR/BMcC)