East Belfast Ulster Unionist MLA Andy Allen MBE has again called on the Department for Communities to provide clarity on their strategy regarding addressing the growing energy crisis.

Speaking as the Minister of Finance again highlighted the existence of £150 million as a Barnett Consequential of the recent repayable energy discount available to the NI Assembly in the next financial year, Mr Allen said:

“I again call on the Communities Minister to create a Departmental led task force to address the short, medium and long-term impacts of the worsening energy crisis.

‘While £150 million will not solve the challenges faced by those most impacted by soaring energy prices, the ability to develop broad support packages, which provide for those who are continuously neglected by existing funding programmes, must be a focus.

“A task force which includes not only cross-departmental voices but also business and voluntary representation can, in my opinion, provide the strongest vision of delivery for those who suffer most.”