Northern Ireland

Executive cannot ‘wash their hands of responsibility’ over winter fuel payments, MLA warns

“The First and deputy First Minister have not said a word about this cut or its impact and have once again failed to show leadership or take responsibility for the decisions of the Executive they lead” - Matthew O’Toole

The Northern Ireland Assembly has backed a motion calling for the Executive to publish a programme for government ahead of the summer recess
First Minister Michelle O'Neill (left) and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have yet to comment publicly on cuts to winter fuel payments. (Oliver McVeigh/PA)
By Allan Preston

THE Executive cannot “wash their hands of responsibility” over cuts to winter fuel payments, the leader of Stormont’s opposition has said.

Last week, the communities minister Gordon Lyons confirmed the changes from the UK government would apply to Northern Ireland – meaning only those on Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits can access the annual payment of up to £300.

While objecting, he also said Stormont can’t afford an estimated £44m that would be needed to maintain universal entitlement in Northern Ireland.

The Royal College of GPs were among those warning that thousands of pensioners will be affected, with many now likely to develop illness from cold and damp conditions.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have yet to comment publicly on the matter, although the Executive has written to the Prime Minister Keir Starmer in protest.

An energy social tariff would have lifted millions of households out of fuel poverty, charities have said
An energy social tariff would have lifted millions of households out of fuel poverty, charities have said (Peter Byrne/PA)

Leader of the Stormont Opposition, SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole, told the Irish News: “Whatever way they try to spin it, the Executive have taken a decision which will remove much needed winter fuel payment support from thousands of pensioners across Northern Ireland.

“The First and deputy First Minister have not said a word about this cut or its impact and have once again failed to show leadership or take responsibility for the decisions of the Executive they lead.”

He added: “Since the return of the Stormont institutions we have repeatedly seen attempts to pass the buck or shirk important decisions from this Executive.

“Clearly the UK government decision has an impact here but the Executive is making a choice to implement the cut without any mitigation. They cannot wash their hands of responsibility.”

Stormont opposition leader Matthew O’Toole raised concerns that Northern Ireland has been without a programme for government for almost a decade
Matthew O’Toole, the SDLP’s leader of the opposition at Stormont has accused the Executive of avoiding tough decisions. (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Executive Office, of the first and deputy first minister, has been contacted for a response.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves ignored calls to reverse the decision despite warnings that pensioners were “frightened” about how they will keep warm.

She told the MPs that increases to the basic state pension actually meant older people would be “£900 better off” than last year, and that Labour were committed to increasing it further in the coming years.

The new rules are due to come into force on September 16, but MPs are expected to be given a vote next week which could pave the way for a potential Labour rebellion.

She also blamed the previous Conservative government for leaving a “£22bn black hole” in public finances due to “unfunded spending commitments.”

“When I became Chancellor I took an immediate audit of the spending situation to understand the scale of that challenge, and I made difficult decisions to put the public finances on a sustainable footing. They were tough decisions, but they were the right decisions.

“This includes the decision to make the winter fuel payment better targeted so pensioners who need it most will get it alongside pension credits.”