Minister must increase Winter Fuel Payments to match massive 14% hike in Economy 7 Price
Ulster Unionist East Belfast Representative Michael Copeland said today’s 14% hike in the price of Economy 7 electricity would punish those already suffering from fuel poverty and those who needed to keep warm the most.
In a statement Mr Copeland said,
“This 14% hike is punitive. It is estimated that one in four households in Northern Ireland suffers from fuel poverty. These one in four households are more likely to be using Economy 7 as it was widely understood to be cost effective. Not any more!
In my own constituency there are thousands of citizens using Economy 7. These are homes that in many cases suffer from economic hardship or where the wages or benefits received are not going up as the cost of living goes up.
Only today I visited sheltered accommodation where Economy 7 heating, as it is, doesn’t offer adequate heating within the existing budget. Coming into winter this problem will only get worse.
I would urge the Social Development Minister to increase winter fuel payments to match this punitive hike.”