The Treasury Minister has urged gas users not be ’fearful of using their heating’ during the winter months.

David Ashford was asked by Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse about the support in place to assist gas consumers affected by the gas price hike before January in the House of Keys sitting on Tuesday.

Mr Ashford explained that around 4,000 low-income households in the island are currently eligible for financial support, but this won’t be available until January next year.

This means that of the 20,000 Manx Gas customers, 16,000 households won’t be able to access support packages that have been implemented.

Support will come into effect in January in spite of the fact the increased prices will start displaying on bills from December.

Mr Ashford stressed that support couldn’t have been introduced any earlier than January.

He said: ’The functionality of the social security benefit payment system does not allow for mid tax year increases in the weekly allowances for income support which might otherwise have been Treasury’s preferred way of delivering additional support to customers before January.

’It would not have been possible to deliver additional functionality, enabling mid-year tax increases before January.

’Many recipients of employed persons allowance have existing awards which stretch into January and beyond. It would not have been lawful to increase the amount of their allowances until the beginning of their next award.’

This follows the announcement that Manx Gas customers who are struggling to pay the increased bills can spread them across the summer.