Stewart Dickson MLA has said Diane Dodds needs to focus on helping all those in need of financial aid, as it was revealed a significant number of recipients are still waiting on grant payments.

He said: “What has been lost in the DUP’s attempts to upend the regulations this week is that their own Economy Minister has shown complete incompetency in rolling out financial aid to people.

He added: “Talk about ending regulations or extending them further has caused anxiety and concern among the sectors affected – but so has the realisation that almost four weeks into this latest circuit breaker and so many are yet to benefit from financial aid.

“Delays for some, nothing for others and still so many excluded from even applying, including the newly self-employed – the Economy Minister would be best placed to do her own job well. Her department has the power to actually make a change to all those worried about their financial future.

“This has been a shambolic process from the start.”