Debate contribution: Household Energy Costs

Debate contribution by Mr Andy Allen MBE on 7 October 2025.

MLA

Mr Andy Allen MBE

Party at the time

Ulster Unionist Party

Date

7 October 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Household Energy Costs

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5165088

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I thank my Committee colleague for proposing this important motion. It goes to the core of an urgent social and economic issue, which is fuel poverty. We all know that rising energy prices have become unaffordable, pushing many households beyond the brink. They have also exposed a deeper problem: the poor condition of too many of our homes. When a house is cold, damp, poorly insulated or a combination thereof, people pay more to heat it, yet they still live in the cold. The result is predictable. It impacts on health and well-being and drives higher costs. While there have been slight reductions in energy prices, they remain far beyond what many households can reasonably afford, especially when combined with homes that are energy inefficient. According to the Department for Communities' draft fuel poverty strategy, around 27% of households in Northern Ireland are in fuel poverty, but National Energy Action puts the figures much higher — about 40% overall, and over half of all social tenants. Those are not abstract figures. They represent individuals and families who are making impossible choices. One in 10 is cutting back on food, and over a quarter has gone without heating or electricity at least once in the past two years. The draft strategy reminds us that the energy efficiency of our housing stock is among the lowest in Europe. It also highlights why. A typical uninsulated home loses around 33% of its heat through the walls, 25% through the roof and another 10% to 20% through the floor. Add to that draughty windows and doors, and you will see that much of the heat that we pay for simply escapes. Poor insulation and energy inefficiency, which the motion references, trap people in a cycle of high bills and low comfort. The Department's stakeholder engagement report, which involved more than 365 organisations and individuals, reinforced that message. Participants were clear that we need sustained investment and a whole-house, fabric-first approach — one of insulating walls, lofts and floors, improving ventilation and modernising heating systems together, rather than in isolation. The consultation also proposes new standards that deserve our full support. I look forward to hearing more detail from the Minister today and in response to my question for oral answer, next week. There are sensible and pragmatic steps that we can take, but they will need coordination across Departments. The strategy stresses the need for joined-up delivery, consistency and better public awareness so that households know what help they can access. In June 2025, the UK Government announced £13·2 billion for their warm homes plan, bringing significant Barnett consequentials to Northern Ireland. While I appreciate that that funding is not ring-fenced, it offers a crucial opportunity for the Northern Ireland Executive to invest in retrofitting and home energy-efficiency schemes. Boosting support programmes such as the affordable warmth scheme or its planned successor, the warm healthy homes scheme, would help more households, whilst cutting energy bills and carbon emissions. Our amendment raises important points about grid infrastructure and energy regulation. A secure and affordable energy supply matters, and reform is needed, but the truth is that energy security begins at home. A strong grid and an ambitious renewables target are extremely important, but so too is supporting households that cannot afford to turn the heating on because the heat leaks straight out through the roof and walls. The two approaches — system reform and household efficiency — must go hand in hand. One without the other will not solve the problem. Fuel poverty is not inevitable. It is the result of poor housing, high costs and years of underinvestment. The consultation and stakeholder report make clear what needs to happen. I believe that the will is there. We just need the funding to do it. Let us make sure that no one in Northern Ireland has to choose between heating and eating.

647 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:23 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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