Stormont politicians to meet this morning to agree financial package for NI businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions

From Friday, non-essential retail will close for two weeks, as part of tougher measures across Northern Ireland.

The executive had pledged to provide additional financial support to businesses forced to close.

The BBC are reporting that it is understood the proposed package will support households and businesses affected by the new restrictions.

Stormont sources described the package as substantial.

If approved, it is thought the Finance Minister Conor Murphy could outline details to the assembly on Monday afternoon.

Mr Murphy and Economy Minister Diane Dodds are understood to have spent the weekend working on plans, with their departmental officials.

The executive had faced criticism for not having new financial support in place before it announced the lockdown measures last Thursday evening.