MLAs to pay for Stormont EV charging under new policy as Assembly Commission orders system overhaul

Free electric vehicle charging for MLAs at Stormont has been suspended after mounting public criticism over taxpayer-funded electricity use and concerns around travel expense claims.

The Assembly Commission confirmed on Monday morning that a new paid charging system will now be introduced for all EV charging points under its control at Parliament Buildings following a cross-party meeting chaired by Speaker Edwin Poots.

The decision comes after days of political pressure and growing scrutiny over arrangements that allowed MLAs to use charging points in Stormont’s upper car park without payment, while visitors using public chargers elsewhere on the estate had to pay.

The controversy intensified after claims the charging points were costing taxpayers around £350 per week, alongside questions over whether MLAs could simultaneously claim mileage expenses while charging vehicles for free.

Stormont chargers remain suspended

Addressing the Assembly at the start of plenary proceedings on Monday, the Speaker said the Assembly Commission had “formally agreed” that payment would now be required for all EV charging points under its responsibility.

He told Members:

“It has been formally agreed that a new EV system will be introduced with payment being required for all EV charging points within the Assembly Commission’s responsibility on a consistent basis.”

He added that arrangements for retaining data linked to charger usage would also be reviewed under the new system.

Until the revised arrangements are introduced, the EV chargers in Stormont’s upper car park will remain suspended.

Officials have also been instructed to engage with MLAs who previously used the charging points to arrange reimbursement.

The Speaker said the current arrangements dated back to 2015 and described decisions around the introduction and management of the chargers as “operational ones” which “did not involve Members of the Commission”.

He also acknowledged what he described as “legitimate public concerns” over the issue and thanked Commission members for reaching unanimous agreement on the changes.

Questions raised over mileage claims and transparency

The issue was thrust into the political spotlight last week. North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston publicly challenged the arrangements and raised concerns about the use of public money.

Mr Gaston said he could not understand why visitors were required to pay to use charging facilities while MLAs could access free charging points.

He also questioned whether MLAs could potentially be claiming travel expenses while simultaneously benefitting from taxpayer-funded charging.

Mr Gaston said:

“It would be intolerable if MLAs were receiving travel money as well as plugging their car in to a free charging point at work.”

He further claimed the controversy risked damaging public confidence in Stormont, particularly following the recent 27 per cent MLA pay rise.

“Coming so soon after MLAs received a pay rise worth more than 27%, this controversy will only deepen the growing public perception that Stormont has become a gravy train for the political establishment — one where the taxpayer is too often expected to pick up the bill,” he said.

Mr Gaston also criticised the apparent lack of retained records relating to charger bookings and usage.

“With the charging points costing the public £350 in just one week, it beggars belief that there is no record kept of which MLAs use the charging points,” he said.

Series of written questions tabled

Mr Gaston confirmed last week that he had tabled a series of written questions to the Assembly Commission seeking further detail on how the system operated and what safeguards will now be introduced.

The questions ask:

• Why information on EV charger bookings was not retained

• How many charging cards have been issued to MLAs, broken down by party

• Whether any charging cards were issued to members of the Assembly Commission

• When the policy of free charging was originally agreed

• What new checks will be introduced to prevent MLAs claiming mileage while using taxpayer-funded charging facilities

• Whether any repayments to the public purse will now be sought

• What future charging arrangements will apply to MLAs, staff and civil servants using the charging points

Assembly Commission says policy reflected early EV rollout

Last Thursday, the Assembly Commission confirmed it was preparing to overhaul the policy following the growing controversy.

A spokesperson said the original charging arrangements reflected a very different period in EV adoption when charging infrastructure was limited and free charging was commonly offered by public bodies.

The Commission stated:

“In 2015, EV technology was still emerging and charging facilities were not widely available.”

It added that free charging schemes were frequently used at the time to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles and support cleaner transport.

However, the Commission acknowledged that charging arrangements elsewhere have since shifted towards paid systems as EV ownership has become far more widespread.

There are currently six EV charging points in Stormont’s upper car park and a further two charging points in the Lower East car park.

Officials are now expected to bring detailed proposals for the new charging arrangements to the Assembly Commission later this month.

The move marks a significant reversal in Stormont’s EV charging policy and comes amid growing political sensitivity around public spending, MLA expenses and transparency at Parliament Buildings.