DUP and UUP MLAs have family members benefitting from RHI scheme

Three DUP MLAs and one UUP MLA have revealed that they have family members benefitting as a result of the RHI scheme.

The 'cash for ash' scandal is set to cost the Northern Ireland taxpayer £490m over the next 20 years if a solution is not found.

The aim of the scheme was to encourage businesses to use more renewable energy. Businesses taking part in the scheme ended up receiving more in funding than the cost of fuel and the scheme became oversubscribed.

DUP MLA Jim Wells revealed on Friday that his 'brother, two cousins and the brother of a third cousin installed a combined total of eight boilers at three separate farms to heat their sheds'.

Yesterday DUP MLAs Carla Lockhart and William Irwin indicated they had family members involved in the scheme.

Ms Lockhart said her brother-in-law is a farmer involved in the scheme and Mr Irwin said his son-in-law, also a farmer had benefitted.

The UUP revealed that the aunt and uncle of MLA Sandra Overend have a business which benefits from the scheme.

The wife of former UUP MLA Neil Somerville is also a beneficiary.

TUV leader Jim Allister has accused former DUP Special Adviser Stephen Brimstone of benefitting from the scheme, but Mr Brimstone has so far declined to comment.