Debate contribution: Household Energy Costs

Debate contribution by Mr John Blair on 7 October 2025.

MLA

Mr John Blair

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

7 October 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Household Energy Costs

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5165090

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I rise mindful of the fact that I was recently appointed chair of the all-party group on climate action. However, I speak primarily as Alliance Party spokesperson on the environment and to express my support for the important Alliance motion. The motion does not just prioritise urgent climate action but emphasises achieving a just transition, particularly for those in society who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change as well as energy poverty. The housing sector, whether we like it or not, is responsible for a significant proportion of our carbon emissions, but addressing that challenge can bring wide-ranging benefits. By reducing emissions from our homes, we can deliver affordable warmth, lower household energy bills and improve the health and well-being of the most disadvantaged members of our community.

For example, introducing large-scale retrofitting schemes such as upgrading insulation, replacing fossil fuel heating systems with other, low-carbon technologies and improving the energy efficiency of windows and roofs can help alleviate fuel poverty while cutting emissions. Such interventions are essential in combating social inequality alongside achieving environmental goals.

As has been mentioned, we have a statutory duty set out in the Climate Change Act, which was supported by all Executive parties. The legislation commits us to ambitious renewable energy targets. Recent data from the Department for the Economy shows that Northern Ireland currently sources approximately 45% of its electricity from renewables. Whilst that is a commendable achievement, we cannot be complacent, especially when neighbouring regions such as Scotland have surpassed 60%. Northern Ireland should strive not just to meet but to surpass those targets by leveraging our landscape, which is conducive to clean energy innovation, to become a leading example for all of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Addressing those ambitions, Alliance will continue to urge the Minister for Communities to introduce comprehensive proposals for redesigning and constructing social homes to be fit for a net zero future. That means integrating higher energy-efficiency standards, which are vital for residents who are already struggling to pay their bills. That would also make a significant contribution to meeting our emissions targets. Hopefully, when the Minister responds today, we will hear more about current and future plans. I turn to the amendments. Amendment No 1 fails to properly address the immediate threats posed by climate change. Amendment No 2 is similarly problematic, especially the claim about the "undeliverable nature of emissions targets" in the Climate Change Act, an agreement that was forged collectively by all parties here. We must uphold our shared commitments and not retreat from hard-won progress simply because implementation poses challenges. We must prioritise urgency, not half measures or backtracking. I read those two amendments, and I listened to them being proposed. I heard from Dr Aiken about the lights going out, and I read the amendments again. I concluded that the lights are on but there is nobody at home — not over there, at least, and not with that level of climate denial. In contrast, amendment No 3 is supportable, because it preserves the core aim —.

I am going to continue. Amendment No 3 is supportable, because it preserves the core aim of the motion and especially its focus on bridging the gap between ambitious climate measures and assisting those who are most affected by rising energy costs. I am happy to give way now, if Dr Aiken wants me to.

I thank the Member for the intervention.

I thank the Member for the intervention and congratulate him on his appointment as vice chair of the all-party group on climate. Hopefully, the sentiments, targets and aspirations of that group will be reflected in future motions. In closing, let me be clear: any shortcuts that we make today will only increase the cost, both financially and environmentally, for future generations. We must act decisively to ensure that every household in Northern Ireland can be assured of a warm, energy-efficient home, affordable energy and a cleaner, greener future. I urge all Members to support the Alliance motion, to reject the amendments that I outlined as being incompatible with it and to consider the other amendment, which is probably compatible.

691 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.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification