PRESS RELEASE : UK Government must act now to support households in Northern Ireland – Andy Allen [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Ulster Unionists on 12 December 2022.
Ulster Unionist Communities spokesperson Andy Allen MBE MLA has written to the Energy Minister, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland calling for the release of at least £200 of the £600 committed by Westminster to households in Northern Ireland before the end of December.
Speaking as confusion continues to grow on when and how the energy support payments would be delivered to households in Northern Ireland, Mr. Allen said:
“It is a complete failure that, while households across England, Scotland and Wales have been receiving financial support since October, the Government at Westminster is still debating how and when equivalent support will be delivered to Northern Ireland households.
“As temperatures continue to drop, families throughout Northern Ireland – many who were expecting support to arrive last month – are struggling to heat their homes or put food on the table with many having to ration food, electricity and heating.
“I have already highlighted that local energy companies have indicated that they can deliver the original scheme to every household with an electricity account – a model that seems to no longer be preferred by Westminster – although I have no idea why they have changed their mind at the 11th hour.
“I have today written to the Energy Minister, Grant Shapps, copying in the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, asking them to urgently release at the very least £200 of the energy support for each household in Northern Ireland, to be distributed by local energy companies before the end of December. While this is less than people are expecting, it could provide some support for those families and individuals facing the bleakest winter imaginable, whilst the Government works with the utmost urgency to deliver their alternative model.
“This would place Northern Ireland in a similar position to the rest of the UK, who will have received just under £200 for energy support by the end of this month. It is the least Westminster can do to help alleviate increasing hardship. Of course, this should be complemented by an Executive to deliver further short-term support measures alongside the development of medium to longer-term intervention.
“It is imperative the Government acts with urgency to deliver the support which was promised.”
