11 March 2026
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has said the Executive’s response to the surge in energy costs has been shambolic.
He was speaking after it emerged that the Department for the
Economy had been allocated £81m in the Budget by the UK Government to lower energy costs.
This week departmental officials indicated they weren’t aware of the funding.
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP and Colum Eastwood MP attended a meeting with the Treasury to discuss the energy costs situation on Wednesday.
South Belfast MLA Matthew O’Toole MLA said:
“The case of the missing £81m underlines this Executive’s shambolic response to the energy costs crisis that is rapidly impacting families across Northern Ireland. This money was allocated by the Chancellor in November, but this week, as heating costs surge, departmental officials indicated they were not aware of it. Was the Economy Minister? This typifies the dysfunction and failure to deliver from this Executive.
“The Economy Minister’s party colleague, the Finance Minister has confirmed that this money is available from April 1st. Just yesterday he said that the Executive did not have the funding needed to help people here, despite this £81m coming on top of the £380m additional funding allocated through the Spring Statement. The Executive has choices to make and they are making a clear choice not to bring forward a support package.
“Vague reports of a potential £30 yearly reduction in energy bills will bring little comfort. Any support should be targeted at those who need it most. It is a shocking dereliction of duty that at a time when families are wondering how they will pay their next bill that funding was available to help and there is confusion around who was aware and what they were planning to do with it.”