'We're stretched to our limit' - households in Northern Ireland don't know when to expect a £400 discount on their electric bills BBC News NI's BBCJayneMcC went to a mum and toddlers group to find out how families are coping with the costofliving crisis
"The reason that I wanted a meeting next Monday is to make sure we make progress urgently," he told BBC News NI.
"But operationally, to help people with the cost of energy, I have to focus now to make sure we get this money out the door, the £400 for families and households in Northern Ireland." Following Wednesday's meeting, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said it was accepted that the Treasury directly paying energy companies was the easiest solution.This is Nadhim Zahawi's first visit to Northern Ireland since he took over as chancellor last month.In Great Britain, people will get that discount from October.
Two of the ministers at Stormont that are still in place have been pushing Mr Zahawi to get this money out as quickly as possible. Dr Julie-Ann Maney, a consultant at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, said more than one quarter of children in Northern Ireland were living in poverty.discount will be applied to households' energy bills in October.The Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland has urged politicians to do "whatever it takes" to help older people with their energy payments.
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