The UUP has called on Finance Minister Nigel Dodds to sacrifice "that sacred cow - the Programme for Government", and make economic recovery and house building a priority.

David McNarry, the party's finance spokesperson said the current package was "going nowhere", and "letting people down".

Describing the DUP and Sinn Fein leaders as "control freaks", McNarry claims the parties will not amend the programme because they view it as "perfect".

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"Some of us, however, suspect that the real reasons behind that rigid and inflexible attitude is the control freakery that so characterises the DUP and Sinn Féin leaderships.

"Spending government money on the creation of jobs and on the realisation of projects, such as housing, seems a desirable way in which to proceed. However, amending the Programme for Government is apparently a 'no go' area," the Strangford MLA claimed.

"Most of us can see the win-win nature of providing more social housing and not falling short of targets, as we undoubtedly are. In the process of doing so, we can provide more construction jobs and help offset the alarming rise in unemployment in that sector."

Taking a dig at DUP members who double jobs as MPs, Mr McNarry added: "How could anyone with two homes empathise with people who suffer the consequences of a financial shortfall for housing?"

(PR/JM)