Dickson Expresses Concern Following Gas Price Rise Announcement

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has expressed his concern at a sharp rise in Firmus Energy gas tariffs for the Ten Towns area of Northern Ireland.

Firmus customers in this area will see increase in their regulated gas tariffs by 17.75% from April 2021.

Mr Dickson commented: “This has been a very difficult year for family budgets, and an increase in energy costs is always unwelcome news.

“The Utility Regulator has approved this rise on the basis of an increase in wholesale cost of natural gas over the last year. Also, the Regulator outlines that the average annual bill in the affected areas will be £518, lower than in both Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

“Nonetheless, additional costs are the last thing people need at this time, and so I will be monitoring energy prices in Northern Ireland in coming months, to ensure we keep tariffs as low as possible. I would also encourage consumers to use the Consumer Council’s website to check they are on the lowest energy tariffs available to them.”