To ask the Minister of Finance to detail any discussions he has had with Executive colleagues regarding financial support, or relief measures, for working households who are not eligible for benefits but are experiencing financial pressure.

While any additional funding is welcome, the £17.2 million that the British Government have made available to the Executive in response to the significant rise in global oil prices falls well short of what is required, particularly given the widespread reliance on home heating oil here and the scale of increase in fuel costs to date. I raised the matter with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in person at the F:ISC meeting on the 19 March and I will continue to press the British Government for further support.

Given the limited funding provided, in my view this must be focussed on supporting those on the lowest income. Therefore, I have written to the Communities Minister to ask that he brings forward proposals as a matter of urgency to the Executive setting out how he could use this funding to support households impacted.