Ulster Unionist Party Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster, Sandra Overend, has made clear her disappointment with energy firm, firmus, over their increase in gas prices by nearly 15% outside the Greater Belfast area, which will affect around 20,000 homes and businesses.
Mrs Overend, who is the Ulster Unionist Party Spokesperson for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said:
“I was disappointed at the news that firmus energy is to increase its gas prices by almost 15% to 20,000 households and businesses in October this year. At a time when families and businesses are feeling hard pressed and living standards remain worryingly low, increased energy prices can only add to the strain on budgets. This increase follows the trend of increased energy costs, with Airtricity increasing gas prices by nearly 9% in April, and with electricity prices rising steeply across Northern Ireland this year from a number of suppliers.
“Families outside the Greater Belfast area, who use gas, will have to budget an extra 15% for energy costs, which will decrease their spending power in the wider market, harming the economic recovery. Indeed, many constituents have contacted my office to complain about the rising costs of energy, and how these increases have affected their living standards.
“However, it is not only families who are feeling the squeeze brought on by this rise in energy costs; businesses, too, will suffer because of it. Companies in Northern Ireland recently began to budget for the 3% increase in energy costs which will come into effect in October due to DETI failing to secure the Climate Change Levy for the province. This increase, coupled with the latest announcement from firmus, will have a profound effect on those businesses outside the Greater Belfast area, who are already at a competitive disadvantage.
“This further increase will force firms to decrease costs in other areas, which will reduce their competitiveness in an increasingly global market. Indeed, companies in Northern Ireland already pay some of the highest energy costs in Europe, and these recent developments do nothing to help them at this difficult time. I only hope that developments like these do not affect the first timid green shoots of our economic recovery.
‘’I would encourage people to follow the advice of the Consumer Council and shop around for the best possible energy prices.”