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15/11/2022
Chancellor 'Absolutely Determined' To Issue Energy Support Payments In NI
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said that the UK government is "absolutely determined" that NI households will receive the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme payment.
Households across the rest of the UK have already received their automatic credit to the energy bills in October, but Northern Ireland has a separate energy market and households here are still waiting Despite initial commitments to issue the payment in November, a month later than the rest of the UK, no system for issuing the payments has yet been established. It is understood that the lack of the Northern Ireland Executive is the main cause of the ongoing uncertainty.
Responding to a question from DUP MP Sammy Wilson, Mr Hunt said that he "wanted to ensure the support was available to everyone across the UK as quickly as possible".
Speaking after the exchange in the House of Commons, Mr Wilson said: "There have been repeated claims, including this morning on Radio 4, that the £400 energy payments to Northern Ireland will be delayed because the NI Assembly and Executive are not fully functioning. These claims however are not substantiated with detail as to why the Government's commitment that payments will be made before Christmas cannot be met.
"I know that Ministers in Whitehall have worked with the Economy Minister to process the scheme and issues relating to some energy companies have been ironed out. The money is also there and indeed the Government has taken out advertisements here in Northern Ireland trumpeting the delivery of this very help.
"It is welcome that the Chancellor repeated the previous Government commitment that people in all parts of the United Kingdom would have these payments to help before the Christmas period. It is also right that he investigates whether any Minister or civil servant has been deliberately holding up these payments to use them as political leverage. Such an act would be an abuse of power.
"No-one should use fuel poverty as a political pawn. The ultimate way to prove that this has not been happening is for the Government to issue the payments as quickly as possible."
Households across the rest of the UK have already received their automatic credit to the energy bills in October, but Northern Ireland has a separate energy market and households here are still waiting Despite initial commitments to issue the payment in November, a month later than the rest of the UK, no system for issuing the payments has yet been established. It is understood that the lack of the Northern Ireland Executive is the main cause of the ongoing uncertainty.
Responding to a question from DUP MP Sammy Wilson, Mr Hunt said that he "wanted to ensure the support was available to everyone across the UK as quickly as possible".
Speaking after the exchange in the House of Commons, Mr Wilson said: "There have been repeated claims, including this morning on Radio 4, that the £400 energy payments to Northern Ireland will be delayed because the NI Assembly and Executive are not fully functioning. These claims however are not substantiated with detail as to why the Government's commitment that payments will be made before Christmas cannot be met.
"I know that Ministers in Whitehall have worked with the Economy Minister to process the scheme and issues relating to some energy companies have been ironed out. The money is also there and indeed the Government has taken out advertisements here in Northern Ireland trumpeting the delivery of this very help.
"It is welcome that the Chancellor repeated the previous Government commitment that people in all parts of the United Kingdom would have these payments to help before the Christmas period. It is also right that he investigates whether any Minister or civil servant has been deliberately holding up these payments to use them as political leverage. Such an act would be an abuse of power.
"No-one should use fuel poverty as a political pawn. The ultimate way to prove that this has not been happening is for the Government to issue the payments as quickly as possible."
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The British Government must act to get the much-promised £400 energy support and £200 heating oil payments out to workers and families, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said. The East Derry MLA said: "The British government must confirm when the £400 energy support payment and the now £200 oil payment will be paid.
Govt 'Must Act' On Promised Energy Support Payments
The British Government must act to get the much-promised £400 energy support and £200 heating oil payments out to workers and families, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said. The East Derry MLA said: "The British government must confirm when the £400 energy support payment and the now £200 oil payment will be paid.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:All parts will have a dry and rather cloudy day. Chance of some brighter spells breaking through across the east at times. Brisk southwesterly winds. Mild. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:This evening will be dry. The rest of the night will remain mainly dry with a good deal of cloud. A little rain reaching the far west later. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
