South Down MP Speaks Out About The UK Government’s Response To Supporting The Poor And Vulnerable In The Fuel Crisis
• Urgent call for action as rising oil and gas costs hit households and businesses
• Assembly Ministers express deep concerns over fuel price rises.
British government’s home heating oil funding ‘an insult to struggling families’ – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has said the funding announced by the British government for those reliant on home heating oil ‘doesn’t even touch the surface’ of the rising costs people are facing.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced today a £17 million support package for households here as energy prices rise, which would amount to just £34 per household.
“The funding announced by Keir Starmer doesn’t even touch the surface of the rising costs people are facing, and is frankly an insult to struggling families” said the South Down MP.
“The reckless war in the Middle East, aided and abetted by the British government, has caused energy prices to skyrocket, with workers, families and businesses left to pay the price.
“If the British government is serious about supporting people who are struggling, a proper financial support package must be brought forward now.
“Sinn Féin will continue to press Keir Starmer and his government for proper support for all families struggling with rising energy bills.”
Archibald warns British Government on pressures on households in the North following gas and fuel cost rises
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has written to the British Government warning that the rapid rise in global oil and natural gas prices is now placing significant pressure on households and businesses across the North.
It comes as consumers using heating oil saw prices rise over 80% in less than a week.
The Minister’s call for action builds on her engagement last week with her Irish and British Government counterparts, business, consumer, and industry stakeholders, on the stark price rises in petrol, diesel and heating oil.
In writing to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Minister, Michael Shanks MP, Minister Archibald expressed deep concern about the impact on local people, particularly on lower income families, vulnerable consumers, and businesses, already burdened by the rising cost of living.
The Minister said: “Unprecedented price spikes, following the Israeli/US attack on Iran, are being felt by local homes and businesses across the north.
“With so many people already struggling with the cost of living, the speed and scale of these increases risk causing real hardship and need to be met with support from the British Government like that made available following the Ukraine invasion.”
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the British Government introduced a series of financial support schemes to shield consumers and businesses from the extreme price volatility including reducing unit costs for domestic electricity and gas customers and targeted wholesale energy price discounts to businesses and the public sector.
The Minister added: “These measures made a real difference during the last energy crisis. Given the scale of the current price shock, it is essential that similar options are examined urgently. Households and businesses here must not be left to bear the brunt of these costs.”
The Minister remains in active engagement with the Irish and British Governments, the Utility Regulator, and industry stakeholders as the situation develops.
O’Dowd Says Any support on heating costs must be meaningful and include oil customers
Finance Minister John O’Dowd has said any support the Chancellor announces for households facing rising energy costs must be meaningful and must fully include families who rely on home heating oil.
The Minister said: “Many households are already under significant financial pressure and the sharp increase in heating oil costs is causing real concern, particularly for families and older people who depend on oil to heat their homes.
“I welcome the Chancellor’s acknowledgement that support is needed. However, that support must be meaningful, timely and delivered in a way which supports oil-fired central heating customers as well as other consumers.
“In the North, a very significant number of households rely on heating oil. Any package which fails to properly recognise that reality will leave many families exposed at a time when they can least afford it.
“I have already written to the Treasury on this matter and will be seeking further clarification on the detail of the support being proposed, including how it will apply to households here.
“It is important that any intervention reflects the particular circumstances of those who are not protected by the energy price cap and who are especially vulnerable to sudden spikes in global oil prices.
“People need certainty that support will be fair, accessible and sufficient to make a real difference.”
Mr O’Dowd said he would continue to press for measures that recognise the high level of dependence on home heating oil and protect households from further cost of living pressures.
