Durkan: Tough winter ahead as NI left behind on energy support

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has expressed serious concerns that households are facing a difficult winter in the absence of adequate support.

Northern Ireland remains the only jurisdiction across the UK without a Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The initiative, available in England, Scotland and Wales provides up to £150 discount on energy bills for eligible households.

The SDLP lobbied for the introduction of a similar provision as part of the Energy Costs Action Plan 2021.

The then Economy Minister Gordon Lyons rejected the proposal, citing “disproportionately high additional administrative costs.’’

Said the Foyle MLA: “It’s incomprehensible that at a time when people in greatest need of fuel support not only are schemes like the Warm Home Discount not available here, but people have been stripped of existing initiatives due to budget constraints, as has been the case with the Boiler Replacement, energy efficiency scheme.

“Constituents have already begun contacting my office as we enter into colder weather, asking for information on the Warm Home Discount Scheme which is being promoted in other jurisdictions.

“It is unfair that households here continue to miss out on support afforded elsewhere.

“The Consumer Council has warned of a challenging winter ahead as home-heating oil prices remain high.

“This will have a disproportionate impact here given that two thirds of households in the North rely on oil heating.

“The issue of fuel poverty is one which affects a much greater percentage of households in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK.

“It’s inconceivable that the seriousness of this issue has not been grasped by a series of Communities Ministers or sitting executives who haven’t updated the Fuel Poverty Strategy since 2011 when the SDLP had the portfolio.

“That is a complete dereliction of duty.”

Mr Durkan added: “It’s difficult to fathom that despite being at greatest risk of fuel poverty, the North has the least available support.

“The previous Communities and Economy Ministers, coincidentally members of the two leadership parties, failed to heed warnings or grasp the severity of the situation.

“They had an opportunity to implement a Warm Home Discount Scheme and chose not to.

“People here will be pushed further into poverty as a consequence of their ineptitude and indifference.”

Tags: