Minister hails strategy against “fuel poverty”

Nigel Dodds, the Minister for Social Development, has spoken out about the “blight” of fuel poverty and its contribution to deaths from cold-related illnesses in Northern Ireland.

Mr Dodds was speaking in response to the publication of the new UK Fuel Poverty Strategy, hailing it as a valuable tool in the fight for warm, safe homes.

He said: “The new strategy recognises that fuel poverty is a problem across the whole of the UK and proposes a co-ordinated approach to tackle it. It is not acceptable that 170,000 households in Northern Ireland should have to struggle to keep warm each winter.”

He went on to assure that the Government was already taking steps to tackle fuel poverty in Northern Ireland by directly assisting households affected by a combination of low income, poor home energy efficiency and high fuel costs. This includes the Warm Homes Scheme - launched in July of this year – which aims to help over 4,000 householders by provides heating and insulation measures for over 60s in receipt of certain qualifying benefits. Families with young children can also qualify for the Warm Homes Scheme.

Mr Dodds added: “Many older people will enjoy a warmer Christmas this year thanks both to the Warm Homes Scheme and the Winter Fuel Payment which led to 275,000 people in Northern Ireland being paid a total of £57 million to help with their fuel bills.” (CL)