AS winter approaches and many fear another Arctic chill similar to last year, thoughts are on how people will cope with rising domestic heating bills as fuel poverty is set to increase.
SDLP leader and South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has written directly to the Office of First and Deputy First Minister requesting that the next Executive meeting look at ways in which the £20 million allocated to the Social Protection Fund can protect households and families who cannot afford the rising cost in fuel.
Ms Ritchie said, “Rising fuel and energy prices are placing households and families throughout Northern Ireland in a crisis situation. Families on low and middle incomes cannot meet the cost of their energy bills and they face a very uncertain future.
“If the rising cost of energy is not tackled by the Northern Ireland Executive immediately this will become not just an economic problem but a serious health and social problem throughout Northern Ireland as families struggle to heat and light their homes.
[caption id="attachment_29879" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Many people will face fuel poverty this winter across Northern Ireland."]
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“The Social Protection Fund was put in place to help people and areas who are disadvantaged as a result of the current recession. Now is the time to act to help householders throughout Northern Ireland who are facing high and unmanageable energy bills. The local population demands that the local Executive addressees this problem at this time of particular need.
“I have requested a meeting with the First and Deputy First Minster to discuss this issue.”
Pay as You Go Oil Meters Good Idea Says Ritchie
Ms Ritchie has also backed the use of pay-as-you-go oil meters as a method of easing the fuel crisis on hard hit homes.
She addded, “Finding the money to pay large oil bills is impossible for many households, in the same way that it is difficult to pay quarterly electricity bills. One way of managing the cost of electricity and gas is to install a pay-as-you-go meter. From recent conversations I have had with those in the heating industry I am aware that the technology is available to install these meters.
“We must tackle the rising energy prices by reducing the tariff and the amount of money having to be spent by households, but we must also at this difficult economic time must look at ways to manage payments for energy supplies.
“The community needs answers to the energy crisis and the rising prices they are facing on a daily basis. Politicians must step up to the challenge and deliver practical solutions to ease this hardship.
“I will be holding a series of meetings with Government Departments to garner support for pay-as-you go oil metering. Government assistance must be forthcoming in order to assist with the delivery of this to the community.”
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