THE absence of a Stormont executive has again been blamed for blunting the regional response to the growing cost of living crisis.
It was claimed last night that the DUP's continued boycott of the institutions has seen hard-pressed families "abandoned" in the face of yet more food and energy price hikes.
As SSE Airtricity yesterday announced a 42.7 per cent increase in gas prices from the beginning of next month, an emergency response group first set up during the pandemic was reconvened in an effort to help tackle the impact of rising costs.
The Emergencies Leadership Group will bring together community and voluntary sector representatives in what is being described as a "strategic response" to rising food and energy costs.
It came as Finance Murphy Conor Murphy was said to be continuing his engagement with the Treasury in an effort to secure households in the north their share of the British government's latest relief payments.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled further support for hard-pressed households a week ago but like the money pledged in his spring statement, access to the funds could be blocked by the lack of Stormont executive.
SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole said the latest energy hike would heap further pressure on families who were already struggling.
He said many people were "already in a dire situation" and struggling to put food on the table and fuel in their cars.
"What these people want to hear from their politicians are solutions," he said.
"They have looked at other parts of these islands where people have been given much needed support and they are disgusted at the response from Stormont, because of the actions of the DUP communities have been abandoned during this emergency."
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey yesterday convened the first meeting of the re-established Emergencies Leadership Group, whose members include representatives from Advice NI, Community Foundation NI and the Public Health Agency.
The Sinn Féin minister said the group was part of the response to the deepening cost of living crisis.
“I am hearing every day from people who are struggling and suffering from the impact of rising costs of food, energy and fuel," she said.
“I am committed to doing all within my power to put money into people’s pockets and to provide all possible support."
She said challenge posed by rising prices was greater in the absence of an executive and with no budget in place for this year.
The group mirrors the model established during the Covid 19 pandemic.
"This group has a strong track record of working with my department to maximise delivery of services," the minister said.
"It is made up of leaders across our society who bring unique insights into, and knowledge of, the lived experience for people today."
