Swann Tells Treasury Urgent Action is Needed Now

Robin Swann MP has hit out at the lack of direct support for Northern Ireland households as home heating oil prices more than double following the escalation of conflict in Iran.

Speaking after a high-level meeting between Northern Ireland MPs and Treasury officials, the Ulster Unionist MP warned that government process is failing to help families facing rocketing fuel costs. With Northern Ireland uniquely reliant on heating oil, Mr Swann pressed the government on the need for action, not words.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Swann said:

"The government is currently pointing to 'crisis resilience funds' as a safety net for vulnerable consumers. The problem is that these funds don’t actually apply in Northern Ireland. I have asked the Treasury for an answer on what the equivalent support will be for my constituents. Northern Ireland cannot be left with a shortfall just because of how our energy market is structured.

"I also raised the huge cost of 'crisis drums' of oil. It is a sizeable burden on the most vulnerable and the government needs to step in.

"The default answer from London has been to wait for the Competition and Markets Authority to look at the numbers. My message to the Treasury today was that my constituents don’t need a report on the process, they need action on the price. Waiting on a watch-dog report offers no comfort to a constituent sitting in a cold house today."

Mr Swann will continue to press the Treasury for a bespoke support package that reflects Northern Ireland’s heavy dependence on the oil market.