To ask the Minister for Communities (i) for her assessment of the real terms cost increases of energy, food and other basic provisions for lower-income families; (ii) to detail the impact these are having on poverty and social deprivation levels; and (iii) what steps she is taking to ease this burden for households.

I understand the serious impact that price increases are having on families and households.

Work is continuing on the development of the Executive’s Anti-Poverty Strategy, which once published will provide focus to the Executive’s collective efforts to address poverty.

The Department currently provides support through the Affordable Warmth Scheme, Cold Weather Payments, Discretionary Support and the Winter Fuel Payment.

“The vast majority of this year’s Winter Fuel Payments have been issued and to date 290,483 people have received their payment, with a total value of £51.7 million.

This global fuel crisis undoubtedly will have a major impact, including on those who are already struggling financially. The Department continues to engage with the Utility Regulator and the Consumer Council and given the scale of this crisis will work with Executive colleagues to try and mitigate the impacts

The Department’s Finance Support Service also offers short-term financial help through:

Discretionary Support

Universal Credit Contingency Fund short-term living expenses grant

Discretionary Support self-isolation grant

Social Fund budgeting loan

Social Fund Sure Start Maternity grant

Furthermore, an additional £3 Million of COVID-19 funding has been allocated to local councils to support front line community development and advice activity through the Community Support Programme in acknowledgement of the continuing COVID-19 challenges and increasing financial pressures on households.

In order to support access to food, my Department has provided £1.05m funding to Fareshare, a food redistribution charity during 2020/2021 with a further allocation of £415k in 2021/2022 and has commenced a co-design process with the 11 councils to expand the Social Supermarket model