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SSE Airtricity is set to increase its Greater Belfast gas tariff by 42.7% from 1st July 2022, impacting around 187,000 homes.

This significant rise will result in an increase of £372 per year to the gas bill of a household with a credit meter and customers with a prepayment gas meter (PAYG) will see their costs increase by £367 per year, taking the overall average household yearly gas bill to over £1,200.

Raymond Gormley, Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council said: “The enormity of this SSE Airtricity tariff increase in the Greater Belfast gas network is shocking but sadly it is not unusual; heating oil consumers, electricity consumers, and gas consumers outside Belfast are already living with extremely high prices. 

“We know the biggest challenge for many consumers right now is having enough money for food and energy. Our research shows fuel poverty in Northern Ireland stood at 34% in March. This means even before today’s announcements one in three households were feeling their purse strings stretched near breaking point. It’s clear that without the introduction of significant support for consumers the coming winter will be miserable for many and life threatening for some.

“The Consumer Council is working to protect consumers by encouraging Government to introduce financial support ahead of the coming winter and clarity is needed about if, how, and when the Chancellor’s energy support package will be made available to people here.

“We are also talking with SSE Airtricity regarding their billing practice processes, customer communications, and support for vulnerable customers. We urge anyone who is struggling to pay their energy bills or to top-up their meter, to contact their supplier directly for help and support. We also encourage consumers to think about ways they can reduce their energy costs through energy efficiency and if possible, try to save money over the summer months to cover energy costs during the coming winter.

“In the longer term, this situation shows the importance of the Department for the Economy’s Energy Strategy Action Plan, that aims to tackle affordability and move Northern Ireland away from its dependence on fossil fuels.”

Consumers can get in touch with the Consumer Council for free independent advice by calling FREEPHONE 0800 121 6022 or by emailing contact@consumercouncil.org.uk.

As EasyJet cancel six incoming and six outgoing flights from Belfast International Airport (correct as of 3:30pm 26 May 2022) because of an ‘IT systems failure’, the Consumer Council is reminding those impacted by cancelled flights of their consumer rights.

Richard Williams, Head of Transport at the Consumer Council, advises: If your flight is delayed, cancelled or you are denied boarding, you are entitled to assistance, including food, drink, and overnight accommodation if needed. Passengers should keep receipts for any expenses and also keep any evidence of any contact made by EasyJet.

If your flight is cancelled, the airline must also offer you the option of:

• a refund within seven days; or

• alternative transport to your final destination.

EasyJet have confirmed that their earlier IT issues will be classed as non-extraordinary, therefore you should submit a compensation claim if your flight was cancelled today. EasyJet advise customers due to travel with them to continue to check their online Flight Tracker for the status of their flight before making their way to the airport. To claim compensation, you can complete an online form on easyJet’s website.

If you remain dissatisfied with the airline’s response, you can get in touch with the Consumer Council by calling 0800 121 6022 or by emailing contact@consumercouncil.org.uk and we will take up the complaint on your behalf.

Consumers can find out more about their passenger rights by visiting our Air Passenger Rights information.

Cancellation compensation rates

Distance of flight 

Impact on arrival time to destination airport 

Compensation 

0 - 1,500km

Less than 2 hours

£110

More than 2 hours

£220

1,500 - 3,500km

Less than 3 hours

£175

More than 3 hours

£350

More than 3,500km 

Less than 4 hours

£260

More than 4 hours

£520

As the statutory body representing air passengers flying in and out of Northern Ireland, the Consumer Council is reminding those impacted by cancelled flights of their consumer rights. This advice comes after several easyJet flights from Belfast International Airport have been cancelled and a TUI flight from Greece to Belfast has also been cancelled.

Northern Ireland’s largest energy supplier, Power NI is set to increase its electricity tariff by 27.5% from 1 July 2022, impacting over 461,000 households. A typical Power NI customer with a credit meter will see their bill rise by around £204 per year, while customers with a prepayment meter will see a yearly increase of about £199.

The Consumer Council is urging Ulster Bank customers to review their banking needs following the announcement of the closure of nine branches later this year.

The Consumer Council is urging Danske Bank customers to review their banking needs as it has announced today (Friday 13 May 2022) that four local branches are due to close later this year.

We have updated our Privacy Policy. The new Privacy Policy was published on our website 12 May 2022.

SSE Airtricity, Northern Ireland’s second largest electricity supplier, and Budget Energy, Northern Ireland’s fourth largest electricity supplier have announced price increases for their residential customers. These increases will effect three in ten households, around 248,000 domestic customers.

Budget Energy is set to increase prices by 27% from Friday 27 May 2022.

SSE Airtricity is set to increase prices by 33%, effective 1 June 2022.

The two companies announced electricity price increases in October 2021, meaning this increase is the second in 6 months.

SSE Airtricity’s Standard tariff for both credit meter and keypad (PAYG) meter customers will increase by £248 to just over £1,000 a year. Budget Energy’s typical customer with a credit meter will see their bill rise by around £280 per year, while customers with a keypad (PAYG) meter will see a yearly increase of about £275 per year.

Peter McClenaghan, Director of Infrastructure and Sustainability at the Consumer Council, said: “These price increases are the latest in a stream of bad news regarding the increasing cost of living in Northern Ireland. At the Consumer Council we listen to consumers daily and hear first-hand how upset, worried, and angry they are about price increases. While Consumers get that these price increases are happening due global reasons, it doesn’t make it any easier for people to pay their bills.

If you are struggling to pay your bills, the first thing to do is contact your supplier directly for help and information. There are measures that can be put in place to help you. Unfortunately, prices are set to stay high for the foreseeable future so the Consumer Council will continue to push for significantly improved initiatives to help consumers who are experiencing payment difficulties.”

We also have a number of free resources including Switch On: A Guide for Home Energy Users to help consumers be more energy efficient at home, get the best from their electricity or gas supply and save money.

Consumers can also get in touch with the Consumer Council for free independent advice by calling Freephone 0800 121 6022 or by emailing contact@consumercouncil.org.uk.

Please be aware that holiday timetables will operate on Easter Monday (18th April) and Easter Tuesday (19th April) for those considering a day out or a short trip.

Firmus energy has announced today, 5 April 2022, an increase of 37% effective from 3 May 2022 for gas customers in the Belfast area.