Dickson Reacts to the Extension of the Spend Local High Street Voucher Scheme

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has said he is relieved that the Spend Local High Street Voucher is to be extended, but exasperated that it is necessary.

Mr Dickson said: “I am not surprised in the slightest that the Economy Minister has had to extend the deadline for the Spend Local High Street Voucher Scheme.

“When the scheme was given the official go ahead in September, having been delayed by several months already, I commented that I hoped the scheme’s delay would not be indicative of gremlins in the system leading to application issues and further delays to consumers.

“Unfortunately what we have seen, is exactly that – a system which has been plagued with glitches. Hundreds of thousands of people across Northern Ireland are still yet to receive their cards. Many more have had issues using their cards, with transactions being declined. There have been reports of issues regarding national insurance number errors, and many married women have encountered problems over name changes.

“Not to mention the issues faced by older people in care homes who have struggled to apply for the cards in the first place”.

Mr Dickson also pointed to an unfortunate situation whereby people have had to use their cards to pay for home heating and electricity as energy costs have continued to skyrocket.

He said: “The scheme had a noble aim of revitalising the local economy, but the reality has been that many families have had to defer their voucher and spend it on more practical purchases as they struggle to afford the bare necessities.

“I of course welcome the extension in light of all of bugs yet to be ironed out, but am disappointed the scheme has not been run more smoothly, leaving many in society stressed and exasperated”.