Northern Ireland

Westminster committee to probe RHI payments after concerns over lack of scrutiny for legislation

Karen Bradley sought to push legislation reducing RHI tariffs through Westminster quickly
Karen Bradley sought to push legislation reducing RHI tariffs through Westminster quickly Karen Bradley sought to push legislation reducing RHI tariffs through Westminster quickly

THE Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is to launch a short inquiry into the reduction of payments for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) amid concern that Westminster wasn't given enough time to scrutinise the associated legislation.

Claimants of the lavish scheme introduced by one-time DUP enterprise minister Arlene Foster are facing significant cuts to their green energy subsidy. Temporary cost controls have been in place for the past two years but earlier this month Secretary of State Karen Bradley brought legislation to Westminster that will see permanent cuts imposed.

It is estimated that some claimant's payments will be reduced from around £13,000 per boiler to £2,000 from the beginning of next month.

Mrs Bradley sought to fast track the Northern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No 2) Bill through Westminster because the legislation needed to be in place by the end of the month.

But the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee says it is concerned that not enough time was given to scrutinise the revised payments before a decision had to be made.

Committee chairman Andrew Murrison said the MPs would be looking at the British government’s "hurried revision" of the tariff rates.

"Businesses across Northern Ireland have structured their finances on the very reasonable assumption that RHI payments were copper-bottomed," he said.

"While the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme can hardly be regarded as a wholly successful policy, righting its wrongs requires proper scrutiny."

The committee will examine the rationale for setting the new tariffs and how farmers and businesses will be affected by the cuts.