East Belfast Ulster Unionist Party MLA and Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE has called on the UK Government to provide an update on how they will resolve all outstanding Energy Bills Support Scheme issues.

Mr Allen said:

“Over the past number of months, I have been contacted by several constituents who have not yet received their energy bills support scheme voucher as they have been informed their voucher has been cashed by someone else. I previously corresponded with the UK Government on this matter and was advised:

“The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero is aware of a small number of cases in which customers have reported that they have not received their voucher and yet it has already been redeemed. 

As they have reported this to Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI), the crime number should be passed on to the customer’s supplier. If the customer was on the supplier’s Care Register on the qualifying date of 2 January, the supplier can reissue a voucher. 

For other customers their case will be reviewed once the police investigation has been completed.”

“Despite the above from the Government, those affected remain in the dark as to what steps are being taken to resolve this issue for them, therefore, I have written again to the UK Government requesting that they detail how these outstanding issues will be resolved.”