A plan to help 280,000 people with their winter fuel costs is to be brought to Stormont ministers tomorrow.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey is to bring a plan to the Northern Ireland Executive when it meets on Thursday, January 12, which is designed to help those struggling with rising energy costs heat their homes.
It comes after Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and MLA Caoimhe Archibald met with the Utility Regulator and Consumer Council today to discuss the pressures facing families due to increases in the cost of gas, oil and electricity.
Ms O'Neill has said that solutions are needed to help families with their energy costs and that Sinn Fein has called on the Government to remove VAT from bills.
She said: “Today, I met with the Utility Regulator and Consumer Council on the huge pressures facing workers and families from global hikes in the cost of gas, oil and electricity.
“I made it clear that we need solutions to cut household energy costs to support people who are struggling with soaring energy costs.
“Sinn Féin have already called on the British government to scrap VAT on energy bills which would immediately cut household costs by five percent.
“They should also introduce a windfall tax on energy generators, similar to that introduced in other European states, with the money raised being redirected towards tackling fuel poverty.
“Our Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey will bring a plan to the Executive tomorrow for a further scheme to help 280,000 people to heat their homes.
“This has been a difficult winter for many families, and we need to look at all measures to try to limit the impact and ensure people can heat their homes and put food on the table.”
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