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Phoenix Price Decrease Makes It A Hat Trick For Consumers

Wednesday 21 March 2007

There was more good news for households here as Phoenix Natural Gas announced that gas prices would fall by 14.6 per cent from 31 March. This is the third piece of good news on the energy front following similar announcements from Northern Ireland Electricity and firmus energy.

Joanne Gamble, Head of Energy at the Consumer Council said: “This is a welcome move for Phoenix customers who will save about £85 per year because of this announcement.   We hope this is the start of a downward trend for Phoenix’s long-suffering customers who have seen prices rise by 84 per cent since 2003. 

“Today’s price cut is possible because Phoenix is paying less for wholesale gas and has simply passed this on to customers.  It is important that any further reductions in wholesale gas are also passed on swiftly and in full.  The Consumer Council would like to see further price cuts if Ofreg’s current review of how Phoenix businesses are run identifies that efficiency savings can be made.  All savings must be passed on to consumers in the form of lower bills sooner rather than later.

“The gas market in greater Belfast is now open to competition.  We hope that new companies enter this market so that consumers can choose between suppliers and compare deals, prices and quality of customer service.”

  1. Consumer Council media contact: Susie Brown, telephone, 028 9067 4807 or e-mail, sbrown@consumercouncil.org.uk.  
  2. The Consumer Council is an independent consumer organisation, working to bring about change to benefit Northern Ireland’s consumers. The Council campaigns for high standards of service and protection and a fair deal for all. It also carries out research, gives advice and publishes reports and other publications. It deals with individual complaints about electricity, natural gas, coal and passenger transport.
  3. For more information, visit our website at www.consumercouncil.org.uk

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