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Assembly to meet over downturn Poorer households get fuel credit
(about 4 hours later)
Stormont ministers are to finalise a series of measures to help people affected by the economic downturn. Up to 100,000 vulnerable households are to get a one-off £150 fuel credit, as part of the Northern Ireland Executive's credit crunch package.
Finance Minister Nigel Dodds is to make a significant statement to the assembly, sources have predicted. Finance Minister Nigel Dodds told the assembly that the payment would be available to 65,000 households receiving income support.
It is believed beneficiaries could include farmers whose crops were damaged by flooding and people looking for grants for slurry tanks. A further 35,000 households will get pension credit against electricity bills, arriving next spring.
The assembly is to hold a special session to debate any decisions made by the executive. It is also believed small businesses are to get help with their rates.
At the weekend, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said there had been "difficult scenes" during recent talks on her proposals for tackling fuel poverty. Business rates had been due to rise in line with inflation but they will now be frozen.
BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said there would be considerable interest in how the package deals both with fuel poverty and her other responsibility, affordable housing. The measures were reached by Stormont ministers who have been discussing how to help people affected by the economic downturn.
Mr Dodds is addressing a special session being held to debate the executive's decisions.