This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7362930.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Consumers face 30% gas rate hike | Consumers face 30% gas rate hike |
(30 minutes later) | |
Consumers in Northern Ireland are facing a rise of almost 30% in the price of gas over the next few days. | |
The figures have to be confirmed, but the average bill from Phoenix Gas is now expected to rise to about £580 per year - an extra £130. | |
The increase comes on top of rising food and petrol prices. | |
The assembly's enterprise and trade committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the escalating energy price crisis. | |
Last spring, householders were feeling well off thanks to a booming housing market, and low interest rates. | |
This time last year, Phoenix gas cut prices by 14% and was talking of further reductions. | This time last year, Phoenix gas cut prices by 14% and was talking of further reductions. |
The fact that oil prices have soared to more than US$ 120 a barrel will also be presented as evidence of the price pressures on energy suppliers. | The fact that oil prices have soared to more than US$ 120 a barrel will also be presented as evidence of the price pressures on energy suppliers. |
On Wednesday, the BBC was quoted £519 for 900 litres of central heating oil, and in the last two weeks alone there have been six price increases in the cost of oil. | On Wednesday, the BBC was quoted £519 for 900 litres of central heating oil, and in the last two weeks alone there have been six price increases in the cost of oil. |
Just as the credit crunch shows signs of slackening, this potentially much bigger problem has now appeared. | |
Even the experts in the oil and gas industry do not seem to know when it will all end. | Even the experts in the oil and gas industry do not seem to know when it will all end. |
Some hope that falling demand during the summer months will discourage the speculators who have been helping drive prices ever higher. | Some hope that falling demand during the summer months will discourage the speculators who have been helping drive prices ever higher. |
On Friday, the assembly's enterprise and trade committee will meet to discuss the escalating energy price crisis. | |
But there is no pot of money there to shield consumers in Northern Ireland from the full impact of what is happening in world markets. | But there is no pot of money there to shield consumers in Northern Ireland from the full impact of what is happening in world markets. |
Just as the credit crunch shows signs of slackening, this potentially much bigger problem has now appeared. | Just as the credit crunch shows signs of slackening, this potentially much bigger problem has now appeared. |
Meanwhile, Firmus which supplies more than 3,000 customers in towns and cities across Northern Ireland has confirmed that it will hold prices at current levels. | Meanwhile, Firmus which supplies more than 3,000 customers in towns and cities across Northern Ireland has confirmed that it will hold prices at current levels. |
The company said it would maintain the cap on prices until the end of 2008. | The company said it would maintain the cap on prices until the end of 2008. |