Cost of Living 2023-02-08
2023-02-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the increased costs faced by households in Northern Ireland due to inflation, impacting their ability to afford essential services like energy.
What assessment has been made with Cabinet colleagues of the effect of increases in the cost of living on people in Northern Ireland? Many households have received a £600 payment for energy bills and the unit costs of electricity and gas have reduced this winter due to the energy price guarantee. However, there is no Northern Ireland Executive to handle these responsibilities.
Many households have already received a £600 payment for energy bills, with the unit costs of electricity and gas reduced this winter due to the energy price guarantee. This support was provided by the UK Government as there is no Northern Ireland Executive to handle these responsibilities.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner wanted an assessment of the effect of cost-of-living increases on people in Northern Ireland, but the answer only mentioned existing support measures without a detailed assessment from Cabinet colleagues.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about off-grid heating oil users in Northern Ireland paying inflated prices for wood pellets, with no increase in the price of trees.
Many people in Northern Ireland and my constituency use off-grid heating oil. They paid high prices before getting support from the UK Government. Now there is concern over price gouging in the biomass market, where people are paying inflated prices for wood pellets despite stable tree prices.
I am not aware of evidence of price gouging in the biomass market. If he would please write to me, I will be grateful for the opportunity to look into it.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked if the Minister is concerned about price gouging in the biomass market but was told that there is no evidence of this phenomenon and advised to write a letter instead.
Write To Me
Response accuracy