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Poorer households get fuel credit Poorer households get fuel credit
(30 minutes later)
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. Up to 100,000 vulnerable households are to get a one-off £150 fuel credit, as part of the Northern Ireland Executive's £70m hardship package.
Finance Minister Nigel Dodds told the assembly that the payment would be available to 65,000 households receiving income support. Finance Minister Nigel Dodds told the assembly those on income support and pension credit will get the payment.
A further 35,000 households will get pension credit against electricity bills, arriving next spring. Business rates had been due to rise in line with inflation but they will now be frozen for next year.
He also announced measures to help small businesses with their rates. He also announced the £20m Farm Nutrient Management Scheme to encourage the construction of slurry tanks.
Business rates had been due to rise in line with inflation but they will now be frozen. Several million pounds will be spent on maintaining roads and schools.
The measures were reached by Stormont ministers who have been discussing how to help people affected by the economic downturn. Construction firms will be able to bid for government contracts worth £115m for schools and hospitals, as these projects are no longer caught up in a legal dispute over procurements.
The measures were agreed by Stormont ministers who have been discussing how to help people affected by the economic downturn.
Mr Dodds made the announcements at a special assembly session to debate the executive's decisions.Mr Dodds made the announcements at a special assembly session to debate the executive's decisions.