Mr Wilson said,
“Over the last few weeks Sinn Fein and others have, broken-record like, been telling Northern Ireland homeowners that they will not qualify for energy supports because the NI Executive is not fully functioning. This has been proved to be a lie.
Whilst the Sinn Fein Finance Minister was whinging the DUP has been working. Whilst the Sinn Fein Finance Minister has been dithering the DUP has been delivering. Our engagement with the Government both in Westminster and through Stormont Departments is ensuring Northern Ireland households will get help this winter.
The statement by the Business Secretary points that households will get their £400 electric payment in one payment where as Great Britain will be split over six payments. The statement also confirms Northern Ireland will benefit from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme ensuring gas and electric prices are capped. This will provide protections for all businesses, voluntary sector and public sector organisations which face excessively high energy bills over the winter period.
We are still working with the Government deliver help for the home heating oil sector. With so many small distributors, this is a complex area but will continue to work for a solution.
Of course, the one area of energy where we are different from GB is on solar panel energy where GB has zero VAT Northern Ireland cannot benefit from this discount because of the Northern Ireland Protocol.”
