Cost of Living

Congress notes that our communities face the biggest cost of living crisis in 40 years with twelve-month inflation running at above 12 percent and with the prospect of rising further as the knock-on impacts of the surge in energy prices are felt in foods and other necessities. 

Those on fixed incomes, that is pensioners, the sick and those reliant on benefits, are likely to experience the greatest squeeze – the additional one-off benefit payments being proposed by the Westminster government will not meet the huge increases which are anticipated for heating and energy costs this winter. There is even less certainly over when the general payments to households more generally will be made and it appears that this will be paid directly to privately-owned energy companies who are already enjoying bumper profits rather than to households in need. 

Food banks and religious charities which have been a lifeline for many – including low wage workers – are completely overwhelmed and unable to provide enough to those coming through their doors looking for help.

For many this winter holds the prospect of not ‘heating or eating’ but neither ‘heating or eating’ unless something else breaks – and for many that means homelessness as rents are left unpaid.

Trade unions offer workers a means to defend themselves through collective organisation and strike action to win above inflation pay increases.

Congress notes and congratulates all those workers who, through industrial action or strike ballots, have been able to force employers to improve pay offers.

But spiralling energy costs and the looming increase in interest rates and quantitative easing also pose wider threats to the economy and our members’ jobs. Urgent intervention to cushion the economy is needed to avert a major impact and permanent economic scarring and large scale job losses.

Energy is a vital public good. Congress asserts that the interests of society and the economy would be best served by a publicly-owned energy sector, along with significant state investment in publicly-owned renewables capacity in order to ensure security of supply and lower prices to consumers. 

In the short term, there is an urgent need for robust intervention in the market to protect both business and domestic users.  In the NI Assembly, MLA's must take immediate action as a priority, in getting help for the people of NI with the soaring fuel and energy costs as we approach another winter.

Mindful that energy in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is subject to the all-Ireland Integrated Single Energy Market, Congress calls on the Single Energy Market Committee, which includes the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities in Dublin and the Utility Regulator in Belfast, to take steps to reduce the cost of energy to households and businesses, including:

(1) The imposition of energy price caps throughout the island of Ireland; 

(2) A requirement that all energy companies offer their lowest rates to all customers, 

regardless of the length of time customers have been with a company;  

(3) A moratorium on disconnections.