Fuel Poverty group to hold emergency Stormont meeting
Last updated 7th Sep 2022
A snap meeting at Stormont today (Wednesday) will see energy companies, MLAs and charities come together as costs continue to spiral out of control.
The Fuel Poverty Coalition NI is hosting the emergency talks to identify actions that can be taken to help struggling households.
The group says the aim of the meeting, sponsored by Ulster Unionist MLA Andy Allen, is to agree common principles and collective actions that can help vulnerable consumers this winter.
It comes the day after more bad news for Firmus customers, with a 50 per cent increase in prices looming, while this morning, Click Energy announced that costs for their 26,000 customers is going up by 28.2 per cent.
The action has been taken in the absence of a functioning Executive in Northern Ireland, as the DUP's walkout over the NI protocol continues.
Around the table, there will be energy suppliers, the Utility Regulator, the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, expert NGOs, and elected representatives.
It emerged last month that a ÂŁ400 energy discount funded by the UK government will be delivered to NI homes this winter, but it is feared this will not be enough to support households with costs soaring.
“We know that nearly 50% of households in NI are already living in fuel poverty and the situation only looks likely to get worse,” said Pat Austin, Chair of the Fuel Poverty Coalition.
“We’ve called this meeting because we believe that there is a moral responsibility to act in the interests of consumers.
“The scale of this crisis means further government support will of course be needed; however, many households are already struggling and need support here and now. We believe that by taking a proactive approach the members of this group can help mitigate the worst impacts on the most vulnerable ahead of the coming winter.”