£400 energy bill support confirmed for NI households
The Economy Minister says the scheme will be delivered in November
The UK government will help Northern Ireland households contend with rising fuel costs this winter, by providing them with £400 in energy bill support.
The £400 Energy Bill scheme has already been secured elsewhere in the UK, but there’s been uncertainty over how payments could be delivered here in the absence of power-sharing at Stormont.
A task-force, including Stormont’s Economy and Finance Ministers, Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, and Business & Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng met virtually this morning to revisit the issue following other recent meetings.
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons says he believes the scheme will be delivered here in November, but the Finance Minister says today’s meeting “provided no guarantee on when citizens here will receive the equivalent support”
In a statement Mr. Murphy said, “Confirmation provided by the Chancellor today that the British Government will deliver the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme is long overdue.”
“Unfortunately today’s meeting has provided no guarantee on when citizens here will receive the equivalent support. While the British Government has committed to delivering support as quickly as possible they have failed to confirm whether households will receive their payment at the same time as those in England, Scotland and Wales. It is deeply regrettable that payments to citizens in the North may be delayed due to the absence of an Executive.
“I have made it clear that the Chancellor and the Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy that any delay in issuing these payments to citizens here will be completely unacceptable.
“I have also stressed to the Chancellor that the £400 payment will not be sufficient to meet the challenges facing households this winter in the face of escalating energy costs and that this amount must be urgently reviewed.”
“The current cost of living is undoubtedly having a major impact across society, for our citizens, businesses and also for public services. I have made it clear to the Chancellor today that additional funding is urgently required and that the new Prime Minister must put in place a package of measures which will provide additional support to households, businesses and public services.”
Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.