Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly tell Keir Starmer to act now on soaring fuel and energy costs
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have written to the Prime Minister urging him to take immediate action in response to the escalating impact of rising fuel and energy costs on households and businesses here.
The Ministers have expressed deep concern over the impact of surging costs on families and businesses.
The price of petrol and diesel for motor vehicles has risen steeply in recent weeks, while 500 litres of home heating oil in the north now costs around £600 in the Derry & Strabane area and €880 in Donegal.
The sky-rocketing cost of fuel led to mass protests across the south of Ireland with reports protests are also planned across the north over the coming days.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said on Friday that the British government had to go much further and faster to address the crisis.
“We are deeply concerned,” the Ministers stated, “about the escalating pressures facing families, workers and businesses as fuel and energy costs continue to rise.
"The cost of fuel is putting significant pressure on, with increases not sustainable. These pressures are being felt in family homes here and beyond.
“Alongside rising fuel costs and escalating energy bills, there is also an impact on businesses. Our hauliers, our farmers, and small and medium-sized enterprises are facing sharply increased operating costs too and these costs are inevitably being passed on further, deepening the cost-of-living crisis." Ministers O’Neill and Little-Pengelly warned that households and businesses cannot continue to absorb these sustained increases without intervention. “Which,” they said, “is why we are calling on the Prime Minister to bring forward a package of measures to support those under pressure”.
“This package should include a reduction in fuel duty to ease pressure on both households and businesses, targeted support for hauliers, farmers and SMEs and a comprehensive cost of living support package.
“Given the scale and immediacy of this crisis, we have asked the Prime Minister to act decisively and without delay.”
Cost pressures have escalated across the world since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran last month. This resulted in the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz – a ley route through which oil is carried to various parts of the world.