Archibald: UK government must listen so NI energy schemes ‘can be rolled out’

The UK Government needs to listen to Stormont departments to ensure energy schemes “can actually be rolled out” in Northern Ireland, the Economy Minister has said.

Caoimhe Archibald faced questions from MLAs on energy supports as businesses and households in the region continue to feel the impacts of rising fuel prices as a result of the US and Israel’s war in Iran.

The minister referred to the British Industrial Competitiveness scheme – a UK Government programme designed to support manufacturers – and said her department was made aware only last week it would be able to apply to businesses in Northern Ireland.

She said: “We didn’t have prior notice that that was going to be the case, which in some respects is not surprising.

“But it’s not helpful either when you’re trying to ensure that support schemes that are potentially being put in place can actually be rolled out and delivered here as quickly as possible.

“That is something that I have raised in every engagement that I’ve had with the British government since the start of this.

“If they’re going to be bringing forward schemes, they need to be engaged with officials in my department and other departments to ensure what is being announced can actually be rolled out, and listening to the needs of business and communities and households here, and the ability to deliver those through our various mechanisms and departments.

“So that’s something I will continue to hammer home.”

Throughout the session Ms Archibald outlined a number of schemes being undertaken to attempt to tackle energy costs, including the Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG).

DUP MLA Phillip Brett asked about an £81 million UK Treasury fund for electricity bills, and said charity the Community Foundation had written to the minister to suggest a “voluntary opt-out” for people who did not need support with bills.

Ms Archibald offered to give “consideration” to the idea, but said the scheme is “not something that we would have designed in terms of its policy intent and the way it is being taken forward”.

Later in the session, SDLP MLA Justin McNulty put it to the minister that her party’s “perennial get out of jail free card is to blame the British government” and claimed Sinn Fein “wants all of the power and all of the control but none of the responsibility”.

Ms Archibald replied: “I think most people out there recognise where the levers sit in relation to the measures that could be taken, and recognise that the real levers that will be effective in providing meaningful support to people will be with the British government.”

She added: “I have continuously pressed upon British ministers the need to engage with ministers here and the Executive around the type of supports that they are bringing forward so that it can be put in place as expeditiously as it is in Britain.

“That doesn’t happen in the way that it should but I will continue to bang that door and to try and ensure that we are in a position to provide support as it flows.”