Energy bills set to fall - Durkan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7779037.stm

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Energy prices in Northern Ireland may be falling next month, SDLP leader Mark Durkan has said.

Gas prices could drop by up to 20% and electricity by 10%, he said.

The utility regulator is currently reviewing energy costs, which have gone up by about 50% in the space of a year.

Mr Durkan said the Executive must still deliver a fuel poverty credit payment to vulnerable households, a measure criticised by other parties.

Ministers have been discussing ways to help people affected by the economic downturn, especially those struggling to pay energy bills.

The fuel poverty proposals put forward by Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie of the SDLP have been criticised by some as unduly raising people's expectations.

Discussions on details of a package of measures to ease people's economic difficulties will continue over the weekend and the executive will meet again on Monday.

Mr Durkan said the Executive must not leave the job of tackling fuel poverty to energy companies.