The scheme, which would affect about 340,000 households, needs to be approved by the executive.
The rate of UK economic growth affects things like pay increases and the amount of tax raised.
Thousands attend a retreat in Derry named after Sister Clare, 10 years after her death in an earthquake in Ecuador.
Seven-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan begins his bid for a record-breaking eighth World Snooker Championship title with a match against China's debutant He Guoqiang at the Crucible.
The UK could face some food shortages by the summer under a worst case scenario drawn up by officials.