HOUSEHOLD rates could be cut to help families struggling with rising fuel bills, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said yesterday as the DUP came under pressure to nominate a first minister to allow Stormont to pass a budget and spend a pot of £300 million from the Treasury.
Sinn Féin has insisted a first minister must be nominated to pass the budget.
However, the DUP has said the money can be reallocated without ministerial approval.
The executive collapsed last month after the DUP's Paul Givan resigned as first minister.
Increases in the cost of living have risen even more sharply following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Fuel prices have soared and are having a knock-on effect on overall cost of food.
The DUP leader suggested last night that household rates bills could be cut to help struggling families.
"Rates bills will be going out in the next few weeks and I think it is possible for the Executive, for the Department of Finance, to take steps to help people by reducing rates bills," Sir Jeffrey said.
He said politicians will be briefed by the Department of Finance today about the options available.
Earlier, Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O'Neill said a first minister is needed to pass the budget.
"What the public need is restoration of the executive with its full spending and decision-making powers," she said.
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has suggested emergency legislation could be fast-tracked in the assembly to bypass the executive and allow the money to be spent.
