To ask the Minister of Finance what steps he is taking to reduce the consumer prices for heating oil, gas, petrol and diesel.

Unfortunately, I do not have any policy levers available to me as Finance Minister to reduce the high energy prices being faced by consumers here. However, I have written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury a number of times recently given his responsibility for the high rates of fuel duty and VAT on energy to call for these to be urgently reduced to provide much needed support to households and businesses. The British Government needs to take swift action on this and I will continue to press for that.

But in recognition of the immediate pressure that spiralling energy prices are putting on household budgets, I allocated £55 million to the Department for Communities in January to establish an Energy Payments Support Scheme which has now provided a one-off payment to low income individuals to ensure vital support is provided to the most vulnerable households in the North.