8th Report - Changes to the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive scheme payments
- HC No.
- HC 2070
- Published
- 30 Jun 2019
- Items
- 0
- Government response
- Government response published 6 September 2019. Read the government's response ↗
Select committee: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Changes to NI Renewable Heat Incentive payments inquiry
Closed
Opened 13 Mar 2019
Closed 25 Jun 2019
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
Following the passage of a bill relating to payments under the NI Renewable Heat Incentive scheme in Westminster, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee launched a short inquiry into the new payments structure. The Northern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No. 2) Bill was fast-tracked through the House of Commons with all relevant stages of the bill taken in one day. The Chair of the Committee, along with many other Members, raised concerns about this process and about the limited time available for scrutiny. The House was assured that the bill must be fast-tracked for payments to continue to be made to businesses. Terms of Reference What was the rationale for the new tariff structure introduced by the bill? How will these new tariffs affect the businesses they apply to? What other options could be considered for payments to stay line with the 12% approved by state aid? How do these tariffs compare with those available in Great Britain? If these changes had not been introduced by 31 March, what would be the consequences? How far does the voluntary buy-out scheme mitigate the potential impact of the new tariffs?
Where it stands
The inquiry is closed, opened 13 March 2019.
The committee has published 1 report, most recently 8th Report - Changes to the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive scheme payments on 30 June 2019.
The government's response
Published 6 September 2019.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Department for the Economy remains confident in the existing tariff work but commits to a further independent review of the NI Non-Domestic RHI tariffs in the current financial year.
- On tariffs, DfE is "committed to carrying out a further independent review" in the current financial year. Its terms of reference will include consideration of the assumptions within the GB and RoI schemes and how they relate to the NIRHI tariffs.
- On the Republic of Ireland scheme, DfE and UK Government colleagues concluded that there is not the evidence to warrant a complaint to the European Commission. DfE "will continue to monitor the situation".
- The first voluntary buy-out scheme will open for applications in September 2019. Offers will use each participant's individual costs, including indirect costs "in line with the allowable costs set out in the NIRHI guidance", and participants can challenge calculations.
- On hardship, DfE "remains committed to appointing an independent chair" and will do so "as soon as possible". The chair, not the Department, will recommend a definition of hardship.
Reports
All reportsEvidence
- 4 oral evidence sessionsLatest 8 May 2019
Recent activity
- Letter to Noel Lavery, Permanent Secretary, Department for the Economy, relating to the RHI scheme, 24 October 201928 October 2019, Correspondence
- Correspondence to the Chair from Noel Lavery, Permanent Secretary Department for the Economy, regarding changes to the NI RHI scheme payments, 15 October 201925 October 2019, Correspondence
- 9th Special Report - Changes to the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive scheme payments: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report6 September 2019, Report published
Reports
Oral evidence sessions
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Correspondence
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