Fuel poverty in Northern Ireland is continuing to increase.

The SDLP said it is concerned over how the problem is being tackled by the Minister for Social Development, Mervyn Storey, and is urging him to reassess his approach.

Spokesperson for Housing, Dolores Kelly MLA, said fuel poverty is a blight that continues to affect our population regardless of age.

She said: "While oil prices may have fallen, keeping warm is still not cheap and a large proportion of our population are living in houses that haemorrhage heat. Putting an end to this will be a great help to hard pressed families who are finding it particularly hard to cope this time of year.

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"I have met with community and industry representatives who have indicated that there are concerns over the possibility of increased fees in the new affordable warmth scheme starting next year. They have also explained that fuel poverty hotspots are not being gauged correctly and should instead be based on areas of social deprivation to avoid misspending of much needed funds. I have asked the DSD twice to view the maps of fuel poverty in Northern Ireland and they are yet to respond."

(CD/IT)