Ritchie tables motion calling for NI Warm Home Scheme

SDLP MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie has launched a Parliamentary Motion with other MPs from Northern Ireland calling for the Warm Home Discount Scheme to be extended to Northern Ireland.

Speaking to Newry Times, Ritchie said, “The Warm Home Discount Scheme is an invaluable support to pensioners provided by the UK government in partnership with leading energy companies.

“It is available in England, Scotland and Wales and provides £140 to anyone signed up to Pension Credit, making the north of Ireland the only region where people cannot benefit from this policy.

“It is unacceptable that pensioners in Northern Ireland cannot avail of this scheme which, under the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s own guidance, should apply across the board.

“The Department should meet with the Executive immediately to discuss how this scheme could best be implemented in Northern Ireland.

The local MP added, “Northern Ireland is subject to the highest levels of fuel poverty and pensioners are particularly vulnerable to the pressures of high fuel bills. This scheme could go some way to providing much need relief.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Dec 3 2014. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry