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08/12/2011
Stormont Executive Fuels Battle Against Cold
As winter storms battered parts of NI today, it emerged that over 250,000 people are to get a one-off emergency winter fuel payment.
Paid on top of a Westminster-funded winter 'bonus', those who will benefit include cancer sufferers, pensioners and unemployed people.
The Stormont Executive is to provide the £23m with the initiative discussed at today's Executive meeting at Stormont Castle.
Last month, it was reported that there had been 740 excess winter deaths in 2010/11 - a decrease on the corresponding figure of 940 excess winter deaths in 2009/10 for NI.
However, in a bid to reduce this number even more, Peter Robinson, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, (both pictured) announced the scheme and said that it would be funded under the Social Protection Fund.
It was established by the Executive in March to mitigate against the impact of the harsh economic climate on the most vulnerable in society.
They said a £100 payment will be made to those in receipt of Pension Credit; the same to those receiving cancer treatment while £75 will be paid to those in receipt of Income Support; those in receipt of Employment Support Allowance income related and those in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance income based
Payments will be automatically issued to those who are eligible.
The First Minister said: "The delivery of a fuel poverty initiative this year was identified by the Executive as one of our most pressing issues due to the impact of increased household energy costs, that affect us all, but particularly those who are most likely already experiencing significant levels of fuel poverty.
"Those who are struggling to keep their homes warm this winter will draw comfort from this decision, which will help alleviate the financial burden on some of our most vulnerable citizens – low income families, pensioners and those who are being treated for cancer," he said.
The Deputy First Minister said: "This additional one-off payment towards household fuel costs will be universally welcomed by those who are suffering most in these challenging financial times.
"Fuel poverty is very real in our society and the introduction and supporting of a range of initiatives aimed at reducing fuel poverty, is a key element of the draft Programme for Government.
"Those on low income are often unable to afford even the most basic necessities and this can have a detrimental effect on entire families. Today's announcement will undoubtedly make life that little bit easier for these people."
Claire Keatinge, Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland commented: "Keeping warm and keeping well in the winter is really important for the health and well-being of older people.
"Too many older people find it hard to manage on their income, and find the rising cost of fuel a real problem.
"Today's announcement of additional financial support to help older people meet costs of fuel is very welcome indeed. The Northern Ireland Executive has made a strong and positive contribution to assisting older people this winter.
"As Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland I am pleased to see this additional payment to help older people keep warm and keep well."
Welcome Move
The Ulster Unionist Social Development spokesperson, Michael Copeland has welcomed news that the NI Executive is to provide those who are most vulnerable in society with a one off winter fuel allowance.
The East Belfast MLA said: "I would broadly welcome today's news that will provide some of those who are most vulnerable in our society with a means to heat their homes this winter. The payment will no doubt come as a lifeline to many of those who are eligible to receive it.
"The need for an emergency payment does however highlight that the current measures in place to tackle fuel poverty in Northern Ireland just aren't working.
"The number of people who are in fuel poverty in Northern Ireland is rising and while latest official figures show that 44% of households in this country are in fuel poverty, given the current economic crisis and price hikes by many energy companies it is generally accepted that this figure is now at 50%."
See: Cold Comfort As Winter Deaths Fall
(BMcC)
Paid on top of a Westminster-funded winter 'bonus', those who will benefit include cancer sufferers, pensioners and unemployed people.
The Stormont Executive is to provide the £23m with the initiative discussed at today's Executive meeting at Stormont Castle.
Last month, it was reported that there had been 740 excess winter deaths in 2010/11 - a decrease on the corresponding figure of 940 excess winter deaths in 2009/10 for NI.
However, in a bid to reduce this number even more, Peter Robinson, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, (both pictured) announced the scheme and said that it would be funded under the Social Protection Fund.
It was established by the Executive in March to mitigate against the impact of the harsh economic climate on the most vulnerable in society.
They said a £100 payment will be made to those in receipt of Pension Credit; the same to those receiving cancer treatment while £75 will be paid to those in receipt of Income Support; those in receipt of Employment Support Allowance income related and those in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance income based
Payments will be automatically issued to those who are eligible.
The First Minister said: "The delivery of a fuel poverty initiative this year was identified by the Executive as one of our most pressing issues due to the impact of increased household energy costs, that affect us all, but particularly those who are most likely already experiencing significant levels of fuel poverty.
"Those who are struggling to keep their homes warm this winter will draw comfort from this decision, which will help alleviate the financial burden on some of our most vulnerable citizens – low income families, pensioners and those who are being treated for cancer," he said.
The Deputy First Minister said: "This additional one-off payment towards household fuel costs will be universally welcomed by those who are suffering most in these challenging financial times.
"Fuel poverty is very real in our society and the introduction and supporting of a range of initiatives aimed at reducing fuel poverty, is a key element of the draft Programme for Government.
"Those on low income are often unable to afford even the most basic necessities and this can have a detrimental effect on entire families. Today's announcement will undoubtedly make life that little bit easier for these people."
Claire Keatinge, Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland commented: "Keeping warm and keeping well in the winter is really important for the health and well-being of older people.
"Too many older people find it hard to manage on their income, and find the rising cost of fuel a real problem.
"Today's announcement of additional financial support to help older people meet costs of fuel is very welcome indeed. The Northern Ireland Executive has made a strong and positive contribution to assisting older people this winter.
"As Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland I am pleased to see this additional payment to help older people keep warm and keep well."
Welcome Move
The Ulster Unionist Social Development spokesperson, Michael Copeland has welcomed news that the NI Executive is to provide those who are most vulnerable in society with a one off winter fuel allowance.
The East Belfast MLA said: "I would broadly welcome today's news that will provide some of those who are most vulnerable in our society with a means to heat their homes this winter. The payment will no doubt come as a lifeline to many of those who are eligible to receive it.
"The need for an emergency payment does however highlight that the current measures in place to tackle fuel poverty in Northern Ireland just aren't working.
"The number of people who are in fuel poverty in Northern Ireland is rising and while latest official figures show that 44% of households in this country are in fuel poverty, given the current economic crisis and price hikes by many energy companies it is generally accepted that this figure is now at 50%."
See: Cold Comfort As Winter Deaths Fall
(BMcC)
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20 September 2011
Gas Price Hike 'Fuels Winter Woes'
The gas supplier, Firmus Energy has ended its previously announced summer price freeze and is set to increase tariffs by over 35% from 1 October - fuelling fears over 'fuel poverty' among the most needy. It has around 8,500 customers in the greater Belfast area - compared to competitor, Phoenix Gas - that has more than 130,000.
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Cold Comfort As Winter Deaths Fall
One of the coldest and harshest winters to hit NI in memory failed to cause any rise in the levels of winters mortalities. Despite the cold weather, last winter (December 2010 - March 2011) there was in fact a fall in the number of deaths registered.
03 September 2007
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will remain cloudy through the evening and overnight with some mist or the odd spot of drizzle possible at times. Light southwest winds continue. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
