Northern parties back campaign against fuel poverty

The North’s five main parties tonight joined forces to campaign against fuel poverty, which affects one third of households in the province.

The Rev Ian Paisley, Gerry Adams, Mark Durkan, Sir Reg Empey and David Ford appeared on a special film to endorse the work of the Eaga partnership.

Political differences were put aside in a bid to raise awareness of the North’s undesirable distinction of having the worst fuel poverty rate in the UK.

Eaga manages all of the British government’s fuel poverty programmes and is the first commercial organisation to be backed by all five parties.

DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley said it was unacceptable that 2,000 died from cold weather related illnesses in the province last year.

The North Antrim MP said: “Fuel poverty is a terrible blight on society.

“Everyone has the right to a warm and comfortable home.

“It is vitally important that right across this province, we remain fully committed to the elimination of fuel poverty.”

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said the organisation had made a valuable contribution to tackling a serious problem.

“People can die from the cold and people are certainly deprived because of the cold,” the West Belfast MP said.

“I think the people have a right to a warm home.

“Eaga are in the leadership through a range of schemes to provide people with warm houses and I certainly commend the work that they do.”

The SDLP’s Mark Durkan, Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey and David Ford of the Alliance Party also appear in the film.

Broadcaster Eamonn Holmes, who hosted the anniversary celebration, hailed Eaga’s achievements over the last decade.

The former GMTV presenter said: “They are an amazing organisation, and they’ve made a real difference to people’s lives right across the UK.

“Their work in Northern Ireland is especially important given the very high numbers of people, particularly the elderly and the vulnerable who often have to choose between heating and eating.”

Established here in 1994, Eaga ran the Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme until 2001 and insulated more than 120,000 homes across the province.

The Warm Homes Scheme succeeded DEES with a remit to tackle fuel poverty amongst low income households through the installation of central heating.

Since its formation, Eaga has installed insulation in more than 22,500 homes and fitted around 8,000 energy efficient central heating systems.

Alan Shannon, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Social Development, said funding for the Warm Homes Scheme has increased from more than £3m (€4.4m) in 2001 to almost £15m (€22m).