Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on extending the Warm Homes Discount Scheme to Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme was established under the Energy Act 2010. It does not extend to Northern Ireland, with energy policy devolved in Northern Ireland. As a devolved matter, I have not discussed its extension to Northern Ireland with colleagues in Government. Considering policy issues of this kind should be for a restored Executive, which is why it remains our priority to see devolution restored.