Lockhart challenges Government to pay out energy support
Carla Lockhart MP • November 29, 2022
Local MP Carla Lockhart has urged the Government to press the ‘send’ button on the £400 energy support payment for households in Northern Ireland. The Upper Bann representative made the call on the floor of the House of Commons to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins MP.
Speaking from London, Carla Lockhart said:
“For weeks now £400 has been dangled in front of the people of Northern Ireland for the energy support payment. We have had the promise of an additional £200 in recognition of home heating oil costs, but as yet no payments have been issued.
In the House of Commons I challenged the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to assure my hard-pressed constituents that they will get their £400, and to provide a timescale for when they will get it. In response, the Minister acknowledged that there are complications in sending the payment to Northern Ireland recipients, but that she will write to me with further information. I await this correspondence with interest.
Ultimately the Government has to step up their efforts and get this payment out to households in Northern Ireland. It is time to hit the send button, and no further delay in acceptable. I will be keeping the pressure on the Government to deliver.”
Share
DUP Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP, has hit out at DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, following confirmation that Northern Ireland currently has no dedicated bee inspectors in place, leaving all bee health issues routed through a single shared email inbox.
With the 2025 Beef Week campaign underway, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is urging consumers to shop local and safeguard the future of the province’s agri-food sector.
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is looking forward to attending Lurgan and District Horse and Cattle Society’s 110 th agricultural show on Saturday, 7 th June.
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said the launch of the Blueprint for Bovine TB Eradication in Northern Ireland largely mirrors previous recommendations made by Edwin Poots, but says tough decisions are necessary on effective wildlife control to mitigate against the spread of the disease.
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart has issued a strong statement demanding urgent action from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Minister over the worsening state of roads across the constituency, saying the situation has become a growing source of public anger and frustration. While acknowledging the hard work of local DfI staff on the ground, Carla Lockhart said the blame for the crisis lies squarely at the feet of the Minister, who she accuses of failing to prioritise core infrastructure in favour of wasteful spending on “vanity projects.”
DUP Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP has hit out at DAERA Minister Andrew Muir following confirmation that Northern Ireland currently has no dedicated bee inspectors in place and that all bee health issues are now being routed through a single shared email inbox. In responses to the Upper Bann MP, the Minister admits there is no one solely responsible for bee inspections within the Department, a move Ms Lockhart has labelled “complacent, careless and completely inadequate.”
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has expressed her sincere thanks to all those who contributed to this year’s Big Bucket Collection in aid of the Southern Area Hospice, which raised an impressive £35,078 across Northern Ireland. Despite the ongoing challenges of the cost of living crisis, communities across the country have once again demonstrated incredible generosity in supporting the Hospice’s vital work.
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the commencement of long-overdue improvement works to the footpaths in Loughgall village, following years of lobbying on behalf of local residents and community groups.
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has encouraged the local community to come out and support Waringstown’s very own Kate Weir as she prepares to launch her debut album The Reason this weekend. The album launch will take place on Saturday 26th April at 7:30pm in Craigavon Civic Centre, featuring special guests LIVE ISSUE, KINGDOM BOUND, WARREN SMYTH, and VICTORIA KENNEDY (SALT). Tickets are £12 and available via Eventbrite, FM Bookshops, or at the door on the night.
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the opening of a brand-new coffee shop, Folks, in Banbridge, praising the entrepreneurial spirit and community focus of the two sisters behind the venture. The MP visited the shop, located at 1 The Mall, to meet owners Jennifer and Katie, and to sample some of the freshly brewed coffee and their now locally-loved açaí and granola bowls.