The £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme is set to be delivered in November, Stormont's Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has said.
The DUP minister tweeted that he had just finished a "very positive meeting" with Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.
He said: "UK government will deliver the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme as promised. I believe this will be delivered this November. This was always the quickest and easiest way for it to be done."
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However, speaking following a meeting of the joint taskforce set up to deliver financial support here, Finance Minister Conor Murphy said more guidance is needed from Westminster on when the scheme will be rolled out. As well as this, he said the £400 payment "will not be sufficient" as households go into the winter months.
Mr Murphy said: “Unfortunately today’s meeting has provided no guarantee on when citizens here will receive the equivalent support.
"While the British Government has committed to delivering support as quickly as possible they have failed to confirm whether households will receive their payment at the same time as those in England, Scotland and Wales. It is deeply regrettable that payments to citizens in the North may be delayed due to the absence of an Executive.
“I have made it clear that the Chancellor and the Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy that any delay in issuing these payments to citizens here will be completely unacceptable.
“I have also stressed to the Chancellor that the £400 payment will not be sufficient to meet the challenges facing households this winter in the face of escalating energy costs and that this amount must be urgently reviewed.”
Minister Muphy stressed the need for further intervention from Westminster to help address the cost of living crisis. He added: “ The current cost of living is undoubtedly having a major impact across society, for our citizens, businesses and also for public services.
"I have made it clear to the Chancellor today that additional funding is urgently required and that the new Prime Minister must put in place a package of measures which will provide additional support to households, businesses and public services.”
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