To ask the Minister for Communities for her assessment of the risk of increasing levels of fuel poverty as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19; and what action she is taking to address this situation.

Fuel poverty is determined by three factors: energy prices, energy efficiency and household income. The economic impact of COVID-19 can potentially impact on household income and energy prices. Therefore reductions in earnings and/or increases in energy prices could have the potential to increase levels of fuel poverty.

The Affordable Warmth Scheme is the Executive’s main intervention to tackle the effects of fuel poverty by providing a range of heating and insulation measures to improve the energy efficiency of low income households.

A budget of £16 million has been allocated to the Scheme to support delivery of energy efficiency measures in 2021/22. This is an increase of £4 million allocated in 20/21.

I have also approved changes to the eligibility criteria for the Affordable Warmth Scheme increasing the income threshold from £20,000 to £23,000 and removing certain benefits from the calculation of income for the Scheme, namely Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carers’ Allowance. This will offer increased accessibility to support from the Scheme. These eligibility changes are due to come into effect on 01 July 2021.