THE COST of living crisis is expected to top the agenda when Stormont's main parties meet the regional head of the civil service next week.
Confirmation of the parties' regular update meeting with Jayne Brady on Thursday comes as Sinn Féin responded to SDLP calls for Michelle O'Neill to convene a 'cost of living summit' by saying the first minister designate "has no authority".
SDLP leader Colum Eatwood yesterday urged Ms O'Neill to follow the example of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who earlier this week convened a cost of living summit in Edinburgh, brining together ministers, energy companies and advice organisations to address spiralling prices.
The Foyle MP said food, fuel and energy prices were "totally out of control" and that many families would struggle to pay bills in the coming months.
"I refuse to accept that political leaders are powerless, particularly when executive departments continue to spend money and officials remain at work," he said.
“The SDLP is in opposition to the Stormont administration but we will support the first minister to take the action necessary to address this crisis and help those in need."
Mr Eastwood said that in spite of "promises of urgent support" ahead of May's assembly election, most households had yet to receive a "single extra penny".
But Sinn Féin responded by saying that in the absence of a functioning executive, Ms O’Neill did not have authority to convene caretaker ministers, other than her own.
The party spokesperson said Sinn Féin ministers were "doing everything possible, within existing limitations resulting from the DUP’s continued boycott of government and stand-off with the public".
“The head of the civil service is convening a meeting of Stormont leaders next week where the cost-of-living emergency and need to urgently form an executive to allow ministers to make necessary interventions to support workers and families without delay will be rightly top of the agenda," the spokesperson said.
"Sinn Féin is ready to form an executive today, to put ministers in place and work with others to put money in people's pockets."
