Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has offered a lifeline to low income families trying to cope with the rising cost of fuel, electricity and gas.
In a letter to the First Minister, Peter Robinson, Mr. McGuinness outlines a series of proposals, including a one-off payment of £200 to low income households, the indefinite deferral of water charges, and the setting up of an emergency fund to tackl
e fuel poverty.
The Sinn Féin leader last night expressed hope that all Stormont ministers could agree to his proposals ahead of today’s meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
In his letter to Mr. Robinson, Mr. McGuinness suggests a one-off payment of at least £200 to every low income household in the North - a plan which will cost £45 million.
The proposal to defer water charges indefinitely could save the average household £7.50 a week, he claimed.
Mr. McGuinness said all ministers in the Executive have a duty to help those on low incomes ahead of what he describes as “the developing economic crisis”.
"The impact of the global economic downturn and with it the rises in costs of food, fuel, electricity and gas on ordinary households and businesses is an issue which requires the attention of all ministers.
"I have written to the First Minister, Peter Robinson outlining a series of measures which I believe can help ease this burden. While I recognise that the economic crisis is global and outside our control, particularly given the very limited resources and absence of fiscal powers available to us, I feel that we must bring forward a package of measures which would bring immediate and meaningful relief to those affected most by the current situation
"I am seeking agreement from all Ministerial colleagues on these proposals in advance of these meeting with the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown,” he said.
