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With steep energy price increases already biting, Newry and Armagh MLA Conor Murphy, has urged the British Government to act urgently to cut energy costs by suspending VAT on energy bills.
Locally firmus energy have increased their gas prices by 38% from December and the norths largest electricity provider Power NI have increased their prices by 21.4% from 1 January.
Murphy said “In November I called on the British Treasury to suspend VAT on energy bills to support families and businesses facing an uncertain winter.”
"The cost of living crisis is severely impacting many of our citizens, causing significant hardship for families and businesses during what is an already difficult period.
“Over the course of the pandemic, we have seen workers, businesses and families struggle immensely. Many will now continue to face significant financial challenges as we move through the winter period, with households and businesses coming under even more pressure from spiralling energy prices.
“I am urging the British Government to act now to give much needed relief to workers and families.’’
Emergency Fuel Payments
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced additional emergency payments for those severly impacted by the rise in fuel prices.
The Department for Communities, in collaboration with Bryson Charitable Group, the Consumer Council and a range of local energy companies, will contribute £2 million to an Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme. This scheme, which aims to benefit 20,000 families, will open on 6 January 2022 and will run until 31 March 2022. See WWW.BRYSONENERGY.ORG for more.
Minister Hargey said: “The unprecedented energy price rises have meant that those who are already struggling financially are facing added pressures during the winter months and there is therefore a need for an immediate response.
“This additional funding is vital in providing emergency financial support to vulnerable families to meet their energy costs and where it is essential to protect people’s mental health and physical wellbeing.
“The scheme is an excellent example of government working together with private companies and the voluntary and community sector to benefit those in need of support in the time ahead.”
Noyona Chundur, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council welcomed the scheme, saying: “We are delighted to have facilitated the establishment of a scheme that will help ease the heavy burden of energy price rises for 20,000 households this winter.
“We welcome the substantial financial support provided by the Department for Communities, the operational expertise provided by Bryson Charitable Group, and the practical and financial support provided by 11 companies from across the energy sector who have pledged over £250k in donations to the scheme.
“We hope this will lead to future collaboration between Government, regulators, consumer advocacy bodies, and the energy sector on initiatives to tackle the causes of fuel poverty.”
