Households in Northern Ireland will receive money off their energy bills as the UK government’s Energy Price Guarantee launches.
The scheme reduces the price suppliers charge customers for units of gas and electricity, with support running until March 31, 2023
It offers support equivalent to help already being delivered in Great Britain, which is expected to save consumers who use both gas and electricity around £700 this winter.
Households will see the discount on their energy bills from this month, with savings for October’s energy use seen in bills from November.
The government said that there is no need for consumers to apply for the scheme with support delivered automatically.
Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“Getting this support to households across Northern Ireland will help ease the pressures facing families this winter, with consumers seeing a discount on their bills from this month.
“We’ve worked at pace to deliver this support, including introducing new powers so the UK government can get it to households as soon as possible, with a further £400 discount on bills due later this winter.”
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris said:
“This is vital support for households across Northern Ireland, providing relief for many families in the face of high energy bills.
“It is disappointing that this support has had to be delivered in the absence of a functioning Executive, but the government has been clear in its commitment to help Northern Ireland households through this challenging time.”