Middle East War: SDLP calls on Executive for support package for home heating oil and gas prices

The surge in prices for home heating oil in Northern Ireland since the outbreak of war involving the US, Israel and Iran has made continuing headlines in NI.

The Consumer Council’s weekly survey of prices last week found that prices had risen by an average of between 72% and 81% across NI in a week, depending on the amount you are buying.

However one major Co Down distributor today quoted £565 for 500L and £999 for 900L, both higher than last week’s average, the latter significantly so.

SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has submitted an urgent question to Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to address the issue in the Assembly tomorrow.

Mr O'Toole and SDLP Opposition Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin have also written to Minister Archibald and Finance Minister John O’Dowd outlining a number of potential interventions.

​Mr O’Toole said: “In the past week we have seen the price of home heating oil nearly double following the outbreak of the latest conflict in the Middle East.

"Increases in the cost of gas are also inevitable. This is causing significant concern for many households across Northern Ireland who were already struggling to get by before this latest crisis.”

He said that Sinn Féin have “lambasted” the Irish Government for failing to step in to support people, yet, he said, the party’s own ministers in NI hold the two portfolios responsible for responding to this developing situation – Economy and Finance – and action has been “minimal”.

"So it is right to ask these ministers what they intend to do to help under pressure families in this part of the island,” he added.

The SDLP is bringing proposals to support families in the short term – and to ensure NI is are no “longer left at the mercy of world events” he said.

He suggested suggested the Executive could use some funding allocated through the recent Spring Statement from the UK Government to create “a targeted scheme to help the most vulnerable households with energy costs” he said.

His party is also calling for regulation of the sale of home heating oil and a renewed focus on a transition to green energy.

​“This is not a situation where the Executive can afford to sit on its hands while stress is heaped on households across Northern Ireland,” he said.

“Leadership demands action in a time of crisis and we need to see Ministers using their powers to ensure every action is taken to support people who need it most.”

According to the Consumer Council, average home heating oil before the war, on February 26, were:

300 litres: £202.12

500 litres: £307.38

900 litres: £536.72

After the war began prices by 4 March had surged as follows (with the weekly increase in brackets):

300 litres: £347.19 (72%)

500 litres: £555.59 (81%)

900 litres: £948.41 (77%)