Other News In Brief

Alliance Calls For Urgent New Financial Plan

The Alliance Party has called for the urgent recall of Parliament to discuss a new Government financial plan.

Making the call Alliance MP Stephen Farry said: "Last week's financial statement from the Chancellor is an unmitigated self-inflicted financial and economic disaster.

"The markets have responded negatively and the Bank of England has been forced to respond. The IMF, Moodys and US Treasury have all expressed major concerns. This is already a major financial crisis. The Prime Minister and Chancellor can't keep hiding forever. Parliament must be recalled, and the Conservatives should abandon their party conference.

"Urgent Government action is required to restore financial sanity, and stabilise the financial system. This financial statement needs to be ripped up and a fresh fiscally credible and fair alternative must be put in place.

"Borrowing levels must be reduced through an enhanced windfall tax on excessive energy profits and a one- off wealth tax introduced. The fundamental inequality and unfairness from tax benefits to most well-off must be reversed.

"The Government can encourage growth through removing trade barriers with the EU, investing in skills and delivering a Green New Deal. By contrast, balancing the books through spending or benefits cuts is the absolutely the wrong thing to do."

SDLP Calls For Support To Heat Schools

Schools across Northern Ireland require extra support to pay their heating bills, SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has said.

It comes after the Department of Education said schools are facing an estimated 60% rise in energy costs.

Mr McCrossan said it was imperative that support is provided quickly to ensure schools can heat their classrooms this winter.

Mr McCrossan said: "I have been warning about the impact the cost of living emergency is having on our schools and this estimated 60% spike in energy bills brings home the scale of the challenge that they are facing to keep pupils and staff warm this winter.

"It is abhorrent that we are facing a situation where some pupils could be leaving cold homes to travel to a cold school, but given the huge financial pressures our education system was under prior to this crisis I don’t see any way that the majority can meet these costs. The impact this will have on pupils and staff can't be overestimated and will significantly impact children's education and staff's ability to teach.

"The department has said 'it is anticipated' schools will get support from the UK government, but this provides little comfort or clarity to our school principals who will be receiving these eyewatering bills. Schools need to know what support is going to be put in place to heat their classrooms this winter and they need to know now.

"We are almost in October and we are still none the wiser about the majority of support that will be provided to not just our education sector, but to everyone in the North. We would be in a much better position if the Education Minister’s party ended their boycott of our institutions and we could put support measures in place ourselves, rather than waiting at the behest of a British government currently mired in an unthinkable disaster entirely of their own making."

UUP Thank Utility Regulator For Delivering Energy Support

East Belfast Ulster Unionist MLA and Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE has thanked the Utility regulator, John French, for his proactive work in ensuring the people of Northern Ireland receive the much-needed energy bills support scheme providing £400 per household.

Mr Allen said: "I want to place on record my personal thanks to the Utility Regulator, John French and his team, who in the absence of a devolved Government, were the key drivers in ensuring Northern Ireland households didn’t miss out on this much-needed support, contrary to what others may try to portray. From the information currently available, it is anticipated the £400 will be delivered in the following way:

• A direct reduction via electricity supplier of £400 for households with a monthly or quarterly credit bill;

• A tiered drawdown for those on a prepayment meter as detailed below;

• Vend (top up) 1: £5 (customer vend) + £170 (EBSS payment) = £175 total

• Vend (top up) 2: £5 (customer vend) + £170 (EBSS payment) = £175 total

• Vend (top up) 3: £5 (customer vend) + £60 (EBSS payment) = £65 total

"Confirmation from the Prime Minister that these payments will commence in Northern Ireland during November is welcome, however this scheme dates back to May 2022 and the situation for many households has drastically changed. Therefore there is an urgent requirement for Westminster to provide further intervention and support.

"Furthermore, there is urgent need for additional support beyond the derisory £100 which is clearly not enough for the 68% of households across Northern Ireland who use an oil boiler to heat their homes. The Government needs to set out in the coming days how they intend to offer equivalent support for these households.

"The support being delivered from the UK Government needs to be complemented by schemes from Northern Ireland departments such as Communities and Economy. However, without a Northern Ireland Executive this cannot be done and our people will continue to suffer."