Chris Heaton-Harris has denied that his instruction to senior civil servants at Stormont to provide information on revenue-raising measures is an attempt to pressure the DUP to re-enter Stormont.
The Northern Ireland Secretary has asked civil servants for information pertaining to revenue-raising measures such as domestic water charges, drug prescription charges and tuition fees, which he says will improve the sustainability of Northern Ireland’s public finances.
The DUP is blocking the devolved institutions in Belfast in a protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements and the party has insisted it will not return to Stormont until it secures further legislative assurances from the UK Government around sovereignty and trade.
