Minister Welcome Commitment To Deliver Energy Support Scheme

Following a meeting with the Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the UK Government's agreement to deliver the much needed £400 energy support scheme.

The Minister said: "I have said for some time now that the quickest and simplest way to deliver a scheme of this scale is to do it on a UK wide basis. This ensures that this vital support reaches people's pockets at the earliest available opportunity.

"Only today an additional announcement on energy price increases has been made, which further reinforced my view that time was not on our side to produce a bespoke local solution. Such a solution would have added complexity and potential delay, something that I would not be prepare to stand over.

"My Department will continue to work with the UK Government to secure further support measures to help all those impacted by energy costs and cost of living pressures."

Speaking following a meeting of the joint taskforce set up to deliver equivalent support to the Energy Bill Support Scheme here, Finance Minister Conor Murphy said: "Confirmation provided by the Chancellor today that the British Government will deliver the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme is long overdue.

"Unfortunately today's meeting has provided no guarantee on when citizens here will receive the equivalent support. While the British Government has committed to delivering support as quickly as possible they have failed to confirm whether households will receive their payment at the same time as those in England, Scotland and Wales. It is deeply regrettable that payments to citizens in the North may be delayed due to the absence of an Executive.

"I have made it clear that the Chancellor and the Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy that any delay in issuing these payments to citizens here will be completely unacceptable.

"I have also stressed to the Chancellor that the £400 payment will not be sufficient to meet the challenges facing households this winter in the face of escalating energy costs and that this amount must be urgently reviewed."

During the meeting with the Chancellor, Finance Minister Conor Murphy outlined the need for further intervention from Westminster to help address the cost of living crisis. Minister Murphy added: "The current cost of living is undoubtedly having a major impact across society, for our citizens, businesses and also for public services. I have made it clear to the Chancellor today that additional funding is urgently required and that the new Prime Minister must put in place a package of measures which will provide additional support to households, businesses and public services."