Dickson Awaits Further Details on Spend Local Remedy Payment Scheme

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has said he is pleased to hear that a remedy payment will be made available to verified applicants of the High Street Spend Local Voucher Scheme who did not receive their card, or who had difficulties in using it.

Mr Dickson said: “The High Street Scheme was well-intentioned but peppered with issues.

“Now that the Scheme has concluded, we have seen a significant number of people come forward to say that they either did not receive their card, they received it too late, or that they did receive a card but it did not work.

“Those people had a legitimate expectation that they would benefit from this scheme, and it is only right that the Department for the Economy rectifies the situation”.

Applicants eligible for a potential remedy payment will include:

• Verified applicants who did not receive a Spend Local card or who received their card after the scheme closed due to service failure.

• Verified applicants who had issues activating/using their cards which were outside of their control and have a remaining balance of £10 or more.

• Eligible applicants who did not receive a spend Local Card as a result of maladministration or service failure by the Department.

Mr Dickson concluded by saying: “We are currently unsure about how the remedy payment scheme will operate and the timeframe for the payments.

“The Economy Minister has promised to provide further details soon, and I will continue to apply pressure until these payments are completed”.