Sir Keir Starmer: Prime minister vows to tackle high oil prices in Northern Ireland

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to support residents of Northern Ireland who are facing difficulties due to the rising cost of living. This commitment follows challenges from First Minister Michelle O’Neill, who urged the prime minister to offer assistance amid ongoing economic pressures. On Thursday morning, Sir Keir met with leaders from various Northern Irish political parties before attending the UK-Ireland summit.

During discussions, Starmer highlighted concerns over the surge in oil heating prices affecting many households. He mentioned having instructed the treasury minister to engage with the Northern Ireland Executive to coordinate a response, especially given that nearly two-thirds of homes in the region depend on oil for heating. Industry figures point out that prices for heating oil have more than doubled since the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran escalated. Acknowledging that some consumers are being unfairly charged, Starmer stated, “We’ve got to bear down on any ripping off at all” and assured that the government would take all possible measures to address this issue.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill emphasized that families in Northern Ireland are struggling as international developments impact their daily lives, explaining that the situation demands a tailored approach rather than treating Northern Ireland the same as other parts of the UK. Sinn Féin’s leader Mary Lou McDonald described the meeting as candid, noting they urged Starmer to consider the ongoing arms supplies from Britain to Israel, calling it “an absolute outrage.” Meanwhile, DUP leader Gavin Robinson expressed surprise that £81 million intended to assist with energy bills has yet to be disbursed, with new legislation required before the funds can be accessed. The Department for the Economy indicated that the scheme might not be operational until later in the year or next year.

Other party leaders also raised concerns during the talks. SDLP leader Claire Hanna criticised the executive’s handling of oil prices, pointing to governmental dysfunction amid a period when people are especially vulnerable to energy shocks. Alliance Party leader Naomi Long described the meeting as brief but covering critical issues such as home heating oil and broader cost of living pressures. She highlighted the need for both short-term relief and long-term investment in alternative fuel sources. UUP leader Jon Burrows added that discussions touched on heating oil prices, defence investment potential in Northern Ireland, and the legacy of past conflicts. Additionally, Starmer addressed the significance of renewing UK-Ireland relations, a priority since his administration began, ahead of the UK-Ireland summit in Cork, where cooperation on infrastructure, clean energy, skills, and innovation will be key topics. The Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed his pleasure at hosting the summit in his home county

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