To ask the Minister for Communities whether he has considered implementing a long-term strategy to protect vulnerable older people from escalating energy costs, particularly in light of the recent reduction in the Winter Fuel Payment.

I have launched a 12-week consultation on a draft Fuel Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland which ends on 6 March 2025. This strategy proposes a vision of “A Warm, Healthy Home for Everyone” and by alleviating fuel poverty, will have positive impacts on both mental and physical health, especially for the most vulnerable in society.

The strategy focuses on making homes more energy efficient to address the root causes of fuel poverty and reduce the poor health outcomes associated with cold homes. It will also address how to support those living in or at risk of fuel poverty, improve consumer protection and include proposals for a new fuel poverty energy efficiency scheme.