UUP Leader, Doug Beattie warned of a "bleak outlook" this winter, even if the return of a fully functioning Stormont Executive is agreed. Northern Ireland's political leaders met with the head of the region's civil service Jayne Brady at Stormont Castle.The DUP has blocked the formation of a new Executive since May's Assembly election in protest at Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol. If a new power-sharing administration is not in place within six months of the election, the UK Government assume

UUP Leader, Doug Beattie warned of a "bleak outlook" this winter, even if the return of a fully functioning Stormont Executive is agreed. Northern Ireland's political leaders met with the head of the region's civil service Jayne Brady at Stormont Castle.The DUP has blocked the formation of a new Executive since May's Assembly election in protest at Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol. If a new power-sharing administration is not in place within six months of the election, the UK Government assumes a legal responsibility to call a fresh poll within the following three months.