Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood is calling on her fellow Members of Parliament to join in a collective effort to pressure the UK Government into taking more decisive action regarding the ongoing energy crisis.

The Lagan Valley MP has invited Northern Ireland's MPs to co-sign a letter outlining several key demands. These include a reduction in fuel duty, the abandonment of proposed fuel duty increases, the potential removal of VAT from home heating oil, and an increase in windfall taxes on energy companies. Ms Eastwood, who has also corresponded with the Prime Minister alongside Alliance Party Leader Naomi Long MLA, stated that such interventions are essential to mitigate the specific economic pressures currently facing Northern Ireland households.

"The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is having an impact throughout the world, with people here facing rising energy and fuel costs making life unbearable for many people and businesses," said Ms Eastwood. "Northern Ireland has been particularly exposed, given our reliance on home heating oil, high rates of fuel poverty and poor public transport links. It's sadly not surprising we have seen fuel prices rise faster here than most of Europe.

"Therefore urgent action needs to be taken by the UK Government to ease that pressure. The proposed help discussed thus far is far from adequate and is forcing many to choose between heating their home or other essentials.

"We need to see an immediate reduction in fuel duty and ultimately scrapping of its proposed increase. We also need to give consideration of removing VAT from home heating oil, agricultural diesel and general commercial use.

"This can all be partially funded by increasing windfall taxes on energy companies, given the recent increase in share prices in recent weeks. The war windfall they are receiving would be morally and economically repugnant if left unchecked.

"It is vital we speak with a united voice on this matter and that's why I've asked my fellow local MPs to sign this letter, so we can push the UK Government to provide whatever assistance they can, for the benefit of all our constituents."