O’Neill and Little-Pengelly call for decisive action from Starmer on fuel costs

Northern Ireland’s political leaders have urged Sir Keir Starmer to act “decisively and without delay” to help people suffering due to rising fuel costs in the region.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have written to the Prime Minister urging him to bring forward a package of support measures.

They have asked the Government to look at reducing fuel duty, targeted support for hauliers, farmers and small and medium enterprises, and a ⁠comprehensive cost-of-living support package.

In a joint statement, Ms O’Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly said they were “deeply concerned about the escalating pressures facing families, workers and businesses as fuel and energy costs continue to rise”.

They added: “The cost of fuel is putting significant pressure on, with increases not sustainable.

“These pressures are being felt in family homes here and beyond.

“Alongside rising fuel costs and escalating energy bills, there is also an impact on businesses.

“Our hauliers, our farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises are facing sharply increased operating costs too, and these costs are inevitably being passed on further, deepening the cost-of-living crisis.

“Families and businesses cannot continue to absorb these sustained increases without intervention, which is why we are calling on the Prime Minister to bring forward a package of measures to support those under pressure.

“This package should include a reduction in fuel duty to ease pressure on both households and businesses, targeted support for hauliers, farmers and SMEs, and a comprehensive cost-of-living support package.”

Ms O’Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly added: “Given the scale and immediacy of this crisis, we have asked the Prime Minister to act decisively and without delay.”

The trade union Nipsa said the fuel crisis is placing “intense pressure” on workers.

The union said fuel prices in Northern Ireland have risen faster than anywhere else in the UK.

Deputy general secretary Patrick Mulholland said: “The fuel crisis is adding significant pressure to the cost‑of‑living emergency, particularly for workers who have no practical alternative but to travel by car.

“These unprecedented price rises are pushing household budgets to breaking point and creating real anxiety about simply getting to work.”

Large parts of the Republic of Ireland have seen widespread disruption in recent days due to protests about the spiralling cost of fuel.

Posts on social media have indicated that similar protests are scheduled for locations in Northern Ireland in coming days.

The Ulster Unionist Party has said any demonstrations must remain lawful.

A party spokesperson said: “The Ulster Unionist Party fully understands the frustrations being felt by everyone and businesses across Northern Ireland who are being hammered by sky-high fuel costs.

“We also recognise the serious pressures facing our farmers, who are dealing with mounting fertiliser costs that will inevitably have knock-on effects on food prices for everyone.

“Everyone has a legitimate right to protest, but it is a qualified right.

“Any protest must be lawful, must respect other people’s right to use the road network, to go about their daily lives and to run their livelihoods.

“Most importantly, protests must not impede the vital work of our emergency services.”