SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan
Mr Durkan said it is disgraceful that families are being left to struggle while money exists at Stormont to help people.
He pointed out that things are only going to get worse in the coming months, with research from the University of York predicting that by January next year 71.7% of households in the North will be in fuel poverty.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The DUP’s latest refusal to do the right thing, return to Stormont and get on with their jobs has condemned families across the North to a very difficult winter.
“The DUP’s selfishness and short-sightedness means that millions of pounds we could be using to help people will go to waste as people’s bills get higher and families find it ever more difficult to make ends meet.
“Energy bills are already approaching scarily high levels, we have heard they will reach £500 a month in January and this latest research of the University of York estimates over two-thirds of households will be in fuel poverty, forced to spend over 10% of their net income just to keep warm.
“The British government has pledged £400 in support to every household, money that won’t go anywhere near far enough without a significant intervention, and even that has been cast into doubt due to the DUP’s boycott.
“These statistics and projections are not just worst case scenarios, they are what will happen if we don’t get to grips with this crisis and provide people with the help they need to get through it.
“The reality is the vast majority of people here are going to be facing bills they just can’t pay over the next few months and the DUP remain determined to put their own interests ahead of those of struggling families across the North.”
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