SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan
Mr Durkan said the reliance on energy proposals from the British Prime Minister to freeze electricity and gas prices which fails to address the dependency on oil central heating in the North, will leave people here worse off than their counterparts in Britain.
He stated that the absence of an executive cannot be used by ministers as a failsafe excuse to do nothing. In recent months, the SDLP has met with National Energy Action (NEA), The Equality Commission, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSMB) and the General Medical Council (GMC) around the development of bespoke schemes and the best way to support people through the costs crisis.
Said the Foyle MLA: “I share people’s frustrations at the lack of political progress and lack of desire from those at the top to help everyone across society.
“People are struggling so much at the moment and sadly will struggle even more as we approach winter.
“Every day makes a difference and the dither and delay that we’re seeing from primarily the DUP, cannot continue.
“The optimal solution is for the DUP to form an executive and develop systems to people.
“However, the point the SDLP have made for quite some time is that we do have caretaker ministers in place, yet have received no indication what they’re doing.
“I recognise there are constraints around the design and delivery of new schemes but at the very least ministers could be consulting with other parties, the public and experts about what they are planning to do, if and when an executive is back up and running.
“They must not wait until an executive is formed and begin from a standing start.
“That’s no good to people here who are losing out while their counterparts in Britain are benefitting from a £400 energy discount and rate relief. Meanwhile there is no equivalent support for people here who more adversely impacted given the lack of delivery and support from previous executives.”
Mr Durkan added: “The British government have been more focused on who will run the Tories than actually helping people across these islands – there has been little detail with regards to the Prime Minister’s proposed price freeze on electricity and gas; and zero detail on what that means for the North.
“Energy plans from Truss don’t include oil despite the huge dependency here. The SDLP has been vociferous both locally and at Westminster in calling for home heating oil support. 5% of households rely on oil in Britain compared to almost 70% in the North.
“We cannot have a copy-paste scheme from England given the hugely different landscape here.
“I understand people’s frustrations and feel utter shame that we’ve been elected in to a position to help people but have been prevented from doing or job by the DUP’s ongoing Siege of Stormont.
“The good will which we’ve witnessed this week between parties following the passing of the Queen is heartening to see but it doesn’t put food on the table or oil in people’s tanks.
“We need parties to build on the sense of unity this week for the benefit of people rather than political gain.”
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