A North Antrim Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member has called for the Boiler Replacement Scheme to stay on target.

Robin Swann, a representative for the group, has urged the Stormont Executive and the Social Development Minister to take measures to ensure that the initiative stays on course, reports the Ballymoney and Moyle Times.

"For many people, having their boiler replaced as soon as possible could well be the difference between deciding to keep warm or deciding to eat," Mr Swann stressed.

He also confirmed that the minister for social development revealed that the pilot boiler replacement scheme has already started, ahead of a scheduled completion date at the end of April.

In recent weeks, Brett Amphlett from the Builders' Merchants Federation urged for the government to re-launch the boiler scrappage scheme.

Mr Amphlett explained that the money spent on re-starting the initiative would be minor in comparison to the amount that the Treasury writes off taxes every year.