Emergency fuel payments can help local households in need

Carla Lockhart MP • January 10, 2022

DUP MP Carla Lockhart has urged those across Upper Bann who are in emergency fuel need to apply for the £100 payment made available by the Department for Communities, administered by the Bryson Charitable Group.

Carla Lockhart said:


“A number of months ago I raised the need for the Northern Ireland Executive to offer some form of financial assistance to help households meet rising household fuel costs. We have seen the price of oil and gas rise significantly in recent months, particularly gas, and I have been dealing with constituents for whom the choice is as stark as to eat or heat.


After initial delay the Communities Minister has finally brought forward a scheme, and while it is not perfect and the application process need refinement, it can help local households.


Applications are through the Bryson Charitable Group and must be done online via their website www.brysongroup.org – due to demand applications open each day at 9am and close after a certain number of applications are received.


All criteria are on the website. If, however, anyone has a query or needs advice on the scheme, my office is available to advise and assist. 

No one should have to chose between food or heating their home and I hope this money can help families in need across Upper Bann.”

Share

Minister must act to support next generation farmers in NI

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 12, 2026
DUP Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP, has raised concerns about the lack of financial support for young people in Northern Ireland who are serious about a future in farming.

Government must listen and review damaging inheritance tax reforms

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 12, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is urging the government to listen to the electorate and reconsider its controversial approach to British farming.

Lockhart pledges support for Mind Your Head campaign

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 12, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart pledged her support for the Farm Safety Foundation’s Yellow Wellies Mind Your Head campaign, during this week’s parliamentary drop-in event at Westminster.

Lockhart Praises Young Entrepreneurs at Rushmere Trade Fair

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 11, 2026
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has praised the talent, creativity and confidence shown by local pupils at the Young Enterprise Big Market Trade Fair, held at Rushmere Shopping Centre . Schools from Banbridge , Lurgan and Portadown were well represented at the event, which showcased a wide range of student-led business ideas and products. 

Lockhart Praises Reopening of Captain Cook’s in Banbridge

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 11, 2026
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart , has welcomed the reopening of Captain Cook’s, describing the revamped Banbridge eatery as a real boost for the local area.

Lockhart Condemns Approval of Puberty Blockers Trial Involving Children in Northern Ireland

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 10, 2026
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has strongly condemned the decision to approve participation in a UK wide puberty blockers clinical trial involving children, describing the move as a serious failure of safeguarding and child protection.

Lockhart Secures High-Level Royal Mail Meeting Over Unacceptable Postal Delays in Banbridge and Across Upper Bann

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 9, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has secured a high-level meeting with senior management from Royal Mail in London to address ongoing and unacceptable postal delays in Banbridge and across the wider Upper Bann constituency, with particular concern around delays to vital correspondence such as hospital appointment letters.

Lockhart welcomes judicial review and peer recognition of burdensome farm tax reforms

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 5, 2026
Confirmation that the High Court has ordered an urgent judicial review into inheritance tax reforms has been welcomed by the DUP’s Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP.

Lockhart accuses SES of paralysing NI’s agricultural planning process

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 5, 2026
The DUP’s Westminster Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP, has accused Shared Environment Services (SES) of paralysing Northern Ireland’s planning system.

Stark Cancer Statistics Expose Unacceptable Delays

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 4, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has warned that shocking new figures on cancer treatment in Northern Ireland expose a health service struggling to deliver timely care and has called for urgent action including free travel support for patients and ring-fenced funding to address chronic delays.