Northern Ireland

British govt accused of breaking promise on energy relief for hard-hit households

Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps. Picture by James Manning/PA Wire
Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps. Picture by James Manning/PA Wire Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps. Picture by James Manning/PA Wire

THE BRITISH government was last night accused of reneging on its promise to deliver relief to households in the north hit by soaring energy costs.

It looks increasingly likely that mitigation measures already rolled out in Britain will not be in place by Christmas, with the Whitehall department responsible for implementing the various schemes unable to say when they will go live.

There was an expectation that the £400 energy bill support scheme would already be in place, having been rolled out for customers in Britain since the beginning of October.

Similarly, former British prime minister Liz Truss pledged that a one-off £100 payment to households using oil-fired central heating would be paid this month.

However, the schedule for both schemes remains unclear, with speculation mounting that they may not be in place until early 2023.

Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said earlier this week that measures would be delivered "as soon as possible" but last night his department was unable to provide any firmer commitment.

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane said those struggling to pay energy bills needed the support without delay.

“They were promised that the £400 energy scheme would be in place weeks ago, but they have once again been hit by uncertainty and delays by the British government," he said.

“Likewise, outgoing DUP economy minister and his party assured people they would receive this payment in November – this clearly hasn’t happened."

Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry said the "lack of timetable and general drift" over the delivery to the energy support payments was "very serious".

"If a devolved executive had been in place since February, this would have been delivered by now," the North Down MP said.

"Instead discussions started late and we have seen empty promises of delivery by November and in one lump sum – there is also an urgency with the paltry £100 for households with home heating."

SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin said she was receiving calls daily from constituents "desperate for support".

“We need urgent clarity on this scheme – people are at their wit’s end and now they have been plunged into confusion," she said.

"Months of turmoil and chaos at Westminster and dysfunction at Stormont is hampering any efforts to provide clear and consistent messaging on the support that is available to households."

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said it was "unacceptable" that hard-hit households may have no financial support in the midst of winter.

“News of this delay will be devastating for those who are already struggling to keep the lights on and heat their homes," he said.

The Northern Ireland Office last night said the issue was a matter for Whitehall.