Legislation to be introduced to push back deadline to form a Stormont Executive

The Bill will clarify the decision-making powers for civil servants leading departments in the absence of ministers.

Chris Heaton-Harris is set to introduce new legislation to extend the deadline by which a new Stormont Executive must be formed (Liam McBurney/PA)

Legislation is set to be introduced at Westminster later to push back the deadline by which a Northern Ireland Executive must be formed.

The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Bill will also see MLA salaries slashed by about a third while the Assembly is unable to conduct business, and take “limited but necessary steps” to maintain public services.