Foyle MLAs welcome £600 energy payment confirmation relief to Derry families struggling to pay bills

Local MLAs have welcomed the news that the £600 energy support payment will be made in January.

SDLP Mark H Durkan MLA said that the British Government’s delay in accepting that approach has left people unable to heat their homes during the coldest part of the year.

The Foyle MLA commented: “This support is long overdue and the reality is that these entirely preventable delays have made ordinary families here casualties of this crisis.

"Despite assurances that this £600 payment will be made in January, confusion remains around how or exactly when it will be issued.

“The latest proposals state that direct debit customers will receive a single payment whereas prepaid meter customers will receive a voucher which can be redeemed through their electricity provider. Considering that households on prepaid meters are likely to be among the poorest, the difference in approach is not only illogical but strips people of dignity.

“The unique energy market in Northern Ireland has a high reliance on home heating oil.

"However, by combining the £200 payment which was supposed to be set aside for oil in with the £400 electricity payment, the British Government have highlighted their ignorance and unwillingness to understand the needs of families here.

“Households were promised this support in November, now as we head into Christmas week and the coldest part of the year when people really needed help, they’re being promised that this support will be delivered next year. The patience and confidence of the public has, frankly, been erased by this fiasco.

“The payments need to go through as quickly as possible, SDLP MPs will continue to hold the British Government to account but this is yet another logjam created by the DUP’s siege of Stormont. Politicians need to get to work now to help people through what will be a desperately harsh winter for so many.”

Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson has said confirmation that households will finally receive the overdue £600 energy payment will be a relief to people who are struggling with their bills.

The Foyle MLA said: “Finally people have confirmation from the British Government that they will receive the £600 energy payment from January in a single payment.

“This will be a relief to workers and families who are struggling to heat their homes and keep the lights on as the cold winter begins to bite.

"We need immediate clarity on the how vouchers for pay as you go customers will be rolled out. 

“It shouldn’t have taken this long to confirm when people would get help that they are entitled to because it was held up by the DUP’s boycott of the Executive and Tory government delays.

“Sinn Féin will continue to push the British government until this money is in people’s pockets.”