Stories

Fri, 20 Mar 2026

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 NI households set for £30 electricity reduction in July

The scheme, which will cost £81m, follows on from an announcement made at the UK budget in November 2025.

* A £30 reduction will be given to all households in Northern Ireland for three years, starting from July.
* This is a Northern Ireland-specific version of an initiative being implemented in the rest of the UK, which will cost £81m.
* The money is ringfenced for electricity costs and cannot be used for other purposes.
* The reduction will apply to electricity customers paying by direct debit or quarterly, with pay-as-you-go customers receiving a credit on their keycard card.
* In subsequent years, the credit will apply from April 1st.
* There has been controversy over how the money should be distributed, with some arguing that it should be means-tested to benefit those most in need.