Economy to top executive agenda

The plans are set to be published before the end of the month

Northern Ireland's economy will top the agenda when the new Stormont Executive publishes its first programme for government in the next three weeks.

Rather than separate plans for each department, there will instead be five key themes or priorities.

It is thought health and education will receive the biggest share of funding.

However, the BBC understands that social policy will no longer dominate the programme for government as it has in the past.

Meanwhile, a review of taxation carried out by industrialist Sir David Varney is to be published in the next few days.

Politicians have been campaigning for corporation tax in Northern Ireland to be cut, to boost competitiveness for local firms and attract fresh investment.

Businesses in the Irish Republic pay corporation tax at a rate of 12.5%, compared to 30% in Northern Ireland.