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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| £150 fuel money due 'this week' | £150 fuel money due 'this week' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Around 150,000 householders are to receive a £150 supplement this week to help pay for fuel. | Around 150,000 householders are to receive a £150 supplement this week to help pay for fuel. |
| In total, £22.5m will be paid to low income families and the elderly. Pensioners who own their homes have been included in the payments. | In total, £22.5m will be paid to low income families and the elderly. Pensioners who own their homes have been included in the payments. |
| Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said payments will be made through the benefits system. | Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said payments will be made through the benefits system. |
| "I know it will be of benefit to many households facing fuel poverty and economic hardship this year," she said. | "I know it will be of benefit to many households facing fuel poverty and economic hardship this year," she said. |
| In December 2008 the utility regulator said there had been an "unprecedented increase" in wholsesale gas costs during the year, leading to more expensive household energy bills. | In December 2008 the utility regulator said there had been an "unprecedented increase" in wholsesale gas costs during the year, leading to more expensive household energy bills. |
| DUP Assembly member Peter Weir said it was a "good example of devolution working for the benefit of the most vulnerable". | |
| "If devolution is to mean anything, it means helping those in our society who are struggling in these difficult times," he said. | |
| "I hope that the Department of Social Development will ensure that there is no delay in getting this money out to those who need it." |