SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
Said the Foyle MLA: “More of our constituents than ever before across the North are being forced into poverty and communities like ours in Derry are particularly hard hit.
“I am receiving calls every day from constituents who are desperate for support and anxious for any update on the promised £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme.
“I am really concerned that months of turmoil and chaos at Westminster and dysfunction at Stormont are hampering any efforts to provide clear and consistent messaging on the support that is available to households this winter.
“This lack of information is even leading to some if our constituents being exploited by dangerous scams.
“I have today written to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury to request an update on this important scheme so that we can continue to keep the people of Derry updated on the support that is available.
“Of course, it is deeply frustrating that due to the DUP boycott of power-sharing in the middle of the worst cost-of-living crisis in generations, we are forced to address questions not to locally accountable decision makers, but to the Treasury in London.
“It would be far more preferable to be able to ask these questions of the Economy Minister in Belfast and to work with other parties in an Assembly to press for answers.
“As it is, the DUP boycott is making that impossible.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to avail of the lower tariffs introduced by some companies as soon as possible and to consider switching supplier to avail of lower rates if possible.”
