Gas Price Rise a hammer-blow to Consumers - UUP MLA
UUP Enterprise, Trade and Investment spokesman Roy Beggs Jnr this evening described the imminent Phoenix gas announcement that it is to raise prices again by 17.5% as a hammer blow to consumers.
In a statement Mr Beggs said,
“This latest hike of 17.5% comes on top of last October’s price increase. Gas in Northern Ireland is now two thirds more expensive than in England. British Gas have managed to shield their customers and consumers in the Republic of Ireland are also protected.
When the Secretary of State asserted that people here had to pay more rates, we challenged him to take factors such as these into consideration. We would be interested to hear what the Secretary of State has to say now.
Gas has now caught up with oil price-wise and Phoenix is losing its natural market advantage.
The Company must give a full explanation of its actions which are a hammer blow to consumers.”