'Confusion' surrounding £600 Energy Support Scheme

Derry Against Fuel Poverty spokesperson Sinead Quinn has commented on the "confusion" surrounding the rollout of the £600 Energy Support Scheme. 

Ms Quinn said that people had been waiting "patiently" for all household government support now for more than 10 months.

She added: "We're finally getting to the point where we will see it roll out soon but unfortunately many issues are also coming to the fore with no government helpline available to answer our queries.

"Electricity companies are telling prepay customers that they don't need to register their name to the account because they will address the voucher to 'the occupier'. The UK government website is telling us that, to cash the voucher, the name on the voucher must match the name on our photographic ID.

"Clearly this information is conflicting and causing unnecessary stress and concern for all involved.

"We need one port of call for queries. We need someone to take responsibility to answer these queries and additionally to ensure conformity within this scheme across these electricity companies. This is public money being spent and people need the scheme delivered in an accessible way and in a timely fashion," said Ms Quinn.

Ms Quinn said she found it "concerning" that companies were putting customers off registering their name to the account.

She added: "I understand it creates an additional workload but surely this is the best way of guaranteeing that the voucher goes to the householder rather than being able to be used fraudulently.

"There are a lot of questions needing answered. Without an Executive to make answer, we are calling on our MP, Colum Eastwood, to take the reins and provide some clarification and guidance by not just answering the queries, but by providing a dedicated method of communication for people having issues going forward."