THE FIRST Minister of Northern Ireland has backed John Swinney's calls for an urgent meeting with Keir Starmer as energy costs spiral, calling the Labour Government's proposal "tone-deaf".
In a post on Twitter/X, First Minister Michelle O'Neill confirmed she had been in contact with John Swinney and "backs" his call for an urgent meeting.
O'Neill called the proposed £35 payment from the UK Government "completely tone-deaf to the severity of this crisis".
She said: "I have been in contact with Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, and I back his call for an urgent meeting with Keir Starmer on the need for action as energy costs spiral.
"The proposed £35 payment per household by the British government, while some people’s bills have doubled, is completely tone-deaf to the severity of this crisis.
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"There must be immediate and meaningful action to support all workers and families."
I have been in contact with Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, and I back his call for an urgent meeting with Keir Starmer on the need for action as energy costs spiral.
The proposed £35 payment per household by the British government, while some people’s bills have…— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) March 19, 2026
The call comes after First Minister Swinney called on Keir Starmer to hold a emergency four nations meeting.
Swinney said that current support for the energy crisis "does not go far enough" in a letter to Starmer on March 19 urging him to organise a four nations meeting.
Global oil and gas prices have surged after Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field, the largest in the world, prompting retaliatory attacks across the region.
Gas prices have soared to a three-year high after attacks on energy sites in Iran and Qatar sparks fears about disruption to global supplies.
Alongside this the Bank of England raised its forecast for inflation on March 19, from 2% in the third quarter of 2026 to as much as 3.5% because of spikes in energy prices
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The calls from devolved governments come as pressure on the Labour government mounts, already facing criticism from anti-poverty groups and trade unions.
Campaigners argue that a flat-rate £35 payment falls far short of what is needed and are urging ministers to consider windfall taxes and deeper intervention to curb soaring bills.
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