SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has welcomed clarification from the UK Government on the £600 Energy Support Scheme for Northern Ireland.
In early December, Mr Durkan wrote to the ministers for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and NI Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to ensure that the scheme was accessible for elderly and vulnerable constituents.
The Durkan said steps to allow vulnerable individuals to nominate someone to redeem their vouchers was welcome but has asked for safeguards to ensure that other households do fall through the cracks of the scheme.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The casual, negligent attitude adopted by the Tory government to date on emergency support, has been nothing short of criminal.
2Of course, the delays have been instigated, and confusion around this scheme perpetuated by the DUP’s similar and flagrant disregard for the needs of the people.
“The drib, drab nature of support schemes is a sad reality which people have become accustomed.
“This sporadic release of information stretched out over a period of months has led to serious confusion and frustration.
“The decision to issue long overdue clarification on this scheme at the height of the festive period, was somewhat nonsensical.
“Nevertheless, I’m glad that my concerns around accessibility of the scheme for vulnerable individuals, has been addressed.
“However, constituents have flagged potential loopholes within this scheme which have not been addressed by the UK government.
“These include cases where individuals are moving into newly built properties and the separate process for a swathe of households in certain types of private and social homes is also cause for concern.
“The UK government has advised that details for households without a domestic meter or non-domestic electricity will be provided at a later date; a date which has not been specified.
“Households here were promised this support in November and this fiasco has erased public confidence. I hope these payments are made in the coming weeks as promised.
“The £600 is not a panacea, it’s not even a stop plug, it’s a mere sticking plaster for the gaping cost of living wound which is ravaging the poorest households in society.
“We need MLAs to get back to work and we need a functioning Executive to deliver robust financial support for those in need, in the time ahead.”
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