Naomi Long MLA @naomi_long@respublicae.eu

@FionaQuigs @ClaireHanna @moneillsf We have no power to do anything other than what we are doing: pressing UKG, working to help our constituents, trying to get things moved on.

While any party can take the institutions hostage, the rest of us disempowered from doing more. It's beyond frustrating and needs to stop.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603737485682814978

@RussellJAdams81 @RishiSunak @BeattieDoug @J_Donaldson_MP @moneillsf @columeastwood @ClaireHanna @StephenFarryMP @RobbieButlerMLA @chhcalling @gordonlyons1 We pressed him on that. As we have the SOS. As we have the BEIS Minister taking it forward. They're saying an announcement is imminent: we're no clearer as to when or how it can be delivered during the winter months given the obstacles facing roll-out. All we can do is push hard.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603736622780088322

@jameshenryclow @GarethBurns18 @timmckane If we do, then we're simply mirroring the destructive behaviour of others.

I think reform can happen at the same time as Government. We need both, not neither.

But you're correct that it both, because without reform, we'll be back here again. And again.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603734597291876352

@grandaerk1 @dmcbfs Well, I share your frustrations and want to see change to improve things, but I can't agree that none of us care about our constituents (we absolutely do) or that we're all as bad as each other (we aren't and that just lets those responsible off the hook for their actions).

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603733359447916544

@RichardQuinn10 @dmcbfs The issue is about ensuring each household gets the payment and that no-one else can steal it from the recipient.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603732546491224068

@ry_antaylor @Stevieokie84 @dmcbfs No problem.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603729026295660545

@timmckane Me, too. We had our Christmas Jumper day this week. I wore a Santa hat and my grumpy face juxtaposed with a jolly hat was quite unnerving in our team meeting...lol

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603728919231836160

@GarethBurns18 @timmckane Agreed. And get the protocol heads of agreement sorted. That way, we can have govt restored and on a sustainable footing.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603728457191624705

@ry_antaylor @Stevieokie84 @dmcbfs If you see the wee thread on this, I've explained why that didn't happen: no Executive, basically. Plus some issues around it being per household not per person and Govt wanting to use it solely for energy.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603728111295660034

@Mackie36590853

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603727495538376705

@dellafferty @mandy_mcauley @chhcalling More colourful than my description, but just as accurate.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603727302151622657

@DarranMarshall @RishiSunak He hasn't actually said how. Once that question is answered, we'll all feel more confident.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603726771400151045

@GarethBurns18 @timmckane I know you do. The issue is elections are just a series of attempts to restore institutions without changing the context: that's doomed to fail.

Let's change the context, and we won't need an election. Plus, the next scheduled one will deliver a government without this nonsense.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603725529286381568

@_spency_ @dmcbfs I think so. We did discuss this at an early stage, but without an Executive, the scheme couldn't be repurposed, so all the focus has been on replication of the GB scheme via energy companies.

Our market is just very different given the high levels of PAYG users and oil users.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603724808625262593

@19grand @dmcbfs Cards are linked to a meter, not a household/person. That means no-one can steal your card and use your credit. However, if cash out the credit, there is no way of telling if the person with the card is actually the owner. That could leave people vulnerable to exploitation.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603723721843572736

@19grand @dmcbfs That means you need to get the credit to your electric bill but then be able to cash that out to pay for oil/gas/other necessities you've been forgoing to pay utilities.

It's the cashing out that is the main problem and particularly for PAYG customers. >

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603722326616330245

@19grand @dmcbfs No, for three reasons. They paid the electricity credit in smaller installments there and earlier. They have fewer PAYG meter customers. We have higher reliance on oil heating.

Those three things mean just offsetting electric costs against other bills won't work here. >

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603721628092796928

@gaeilge2036 @dmcbfs Yep. But it is a genuine problem though someone ought to have been working to solve it over the last 10 months.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603720757041037312

@Reddsab @dmcbfs Yep. We've known about the £200 payment since the day in February the DUP walked out of the First Minister's Office. Even the ability to have delivered that first tranche ourselves would have been useful.

Now it's a worse crisis and a more complicated issue.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603720333193773057

@_spency_ @dmcbfs They ruled that out as this is a per household payment not per person and because they want it to be used solely for energy. However, now they accept people need to cash it out to pay for oil, it'd be easier not to involve the electricity companies at all.

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/naomi_long/status/1603719675682103296