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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.

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.

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

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

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.

In the week following the five pence cut in fuel excise duty, the Consumer Council’s research shows the average price of unleaded petrol and diesel across Northern Ireland have dropped by 3.4p and 1.9p respectively.

Firmus energy has today announced an increase of 16.31% from 3 May 2022 for gas customers in the Ten Towns area, impacting around 59,000 domestic customers.

This increase will see the yearly gas bill of a typical household with a credit meter rise by about £211 per year to £1,504. Those customers with a prepayment gas meter (PAYG) will see costs increase by around £201 per year to £1,432.

Electric Ireland have announced it will be increasing electricity prices by 30% for customers from 1 May 2022.

The typical credit meter and keypad (PAYG) customers will see their bills rise by around £219 per year.

The ScamwiseNI Partnership has launched a programme for people in Northern Ireland with learning difficulties to stay safe from scams.