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Business Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living

Electric Ireland Announces Second Tariff Change in 2023

Electric Ireland will decrease its electricity tariff by 9.2% from 1 April 2023. This follows a 23.9% tariff increase on the 1 January 2023. This price reduction coincides with the UK Government’s announcement that the rate of EPG is reducing in Northern Ireland from 13.608p/kWh to 3.77p/kWh (excluding VAT) for electricity, meaning that consumer’s bills […]

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Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living Government Stormont

Advice for Consumers as Roll Out of £600 Payments Begin in Northern Ireland

The Energy Bill Support Scheme payments will begin in Northern Ireland today, Monday 16 January, with the first payments being made to consumers registered as vulnerable with their energy supplier, and the remainder being posted in batches to assist delivery. Speaking as the first payments are dispatched, Peter McClenaghan, Director of Infrastructure and Sustainability at […]

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Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont Westminster

Discretionary Income for the Lowest Earning Households in Northern Ireland Drops by 46% in a Year

Northern Ireland’s lowest earning households have seen their discretionary income decrease by 46.1% compared to last year (from £45.32 to £24.41), meaning they have less than £25 per week to spend after bills and living expenses. These figures come from the Consumer Council’s latest Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker, which is published on a quarterly basis […]

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Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living Government Politics Stormont Westminster

Consumers Encouraged to Consider Switching to Save Money on Energy Bills

The Consumer Council is calling on consumers to consider switching energy supplier to save money on their bills as the UK government’s Energy Price Guarantee scheme comes into effect in today, Tuesday 1 November 2022. Electricity and gas suppliers across Northern Ireland will apply tariff reductions as part of the scheme, which will reduce the […]

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Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living

Consumer Council: Firmus Energy Announces Another Price Increase

Firmus energy has announced today, 6th September 2022, an increase of 56.3% effective from 3rd October 2022 for gas customers in both the Ten Towns and Greater Belfast gas networks. This is the third time firmus energy have increased their gas prices this year, and this will impact approximately 62,000 domestic and small business gas […]

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Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living Crime Government Politics Stormont

Electric Ireland Set to Increase Their Electricity Prices Again!

Electric Ireland, the third largest electricity supplier in Northern Ireland, have announced today it will be increasing electricity prices by 29% for customers from 1 October 2022. This is the second increase from1 May 2022 and will see the typical credit meter and keypad (PAYG) customers’ bills rise by almost £275 per year. Raymond Gormley, […]

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Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living Government Stormont

Home Heating Oil Prices in Northern Ireland Exceed £1 per Litre!

The Consumer Council’s weekly heating oil survey shows heating oil prices in Northern Ireland have again breached £1 per litre, more than twice the ten-year average price.  Prices have increased by more than a 25% in the past three weeks, the equivalent of more than £100 on 500 litres of heating oil. Peter McClenaghan, Director […]

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Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living

SSE Airtricity Announces 28.4% Price Increase for Gas Customers & 35.5% Increase for Electricity Customers

SSE Airtricity announces 28.4% price increase for gas customers & 35.5% increase for electricity customers SSE Airtricity has announced an increase of 28.4% for gas customers, effective from Saturday 1 October 2022. This will impact around 188,000 domestic gas customers throughout the Greater Belfast and West gas networks, and about 4,600 commercial customers. This news […]

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Campaigns Community Consumer Council NI Cost of Living

Consumer Council: Consumers Advised to Plan Around Expected Royal Mail Strike Action

The Consumer Council is advising postal consumers to plan ahead for Royal Mail strike action which is expected to take place on Friday 26 August, Wednesday 31 August, Thursday 8 September and Friday 9 September 2022. Royal Mail’s services will be affected with delays to mail posted the day before, during or in the days after […]

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Community Consumer Council NI International Lifestyle

The Consumer Council’s Top Travel Tips

The summer travel period is well under way. With recent air and sea travel disruptions in mind, the Consumer Council is helping Northern Ireland holidaymakers prepare for their upcoming journeys with its Top Travel Tips. Richard Williams, Head of Transport at the Consumer Council, said; “This summer many consumers will be looking forward to a […]