09/10/2012
Fuel Prices Affect 82% Of NI Motorists
Rising fuel prices have changed the driving habits of 82% of Northern Ireland’s motorists.
A new survey by the Consumer Council has revealed the statistics.
The report also found that a quarter of people in rural areas were spending £70 per week on fuel and that more people in Northern Ireland were shopping around for better fuel deals.
The Council undertook the survey following an announcement by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that it would be conducting a review of the UK’s fuel industry.
An OFT delegation will visit Stormont today to brief MLAs on the petrol and diesel sector. MLAs are also due to meet staff from the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, where they will be be presented with their results.
Antoinette McKeown, chief executive of the Consumer Council, said: "The cost of petrol and diesel has long been a concern for the Consumer Council and we have welcomed the recent call for information from OFT, especially as prices are nearing a return to record highs."
She said she would urge the OFT "to examine why fuel prices are so high in Northern Ireland compared to other parts of the UK.
"This is a significant issue as respondents indicated that they are potentially spending 14%, or more of the average weekly wage, on fuel costs."
She added: "This is an even more significant problem for consumers living in rural areas with 25% of respondents spending more than £70 per week on fuel.
"This equates to 19% or more of the average weekly wage in Northern Ireland."
(IT)
A new survey by the Consumer Council has revealed the statistics.
The report also found that a quarter of people in rural areas were spending £70 per week on fuel and that more people in Northern Ireland were shopping around for better fuel deals.
The Council undertook the survey following an announcement by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that it would be conducting a review of the UK’s fuel industry.
An OFT delegation will visit Stormont today to brief MLAs on the petrol and diesel sector. MLAs are also due to meet staff from the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, where they will be be presented with their results.
Antoinette McKeown, chief executive of the Consumer Council, said: "The cost of petrol and diesel has long been a concern for the Consumer Council and we have welcomed the recent call for information from OFT, especially as prices are nearing a return to record highs."
She said she would urge the OFT "to examine why fuel prices are so high in Northern Ireland compared to other parts of the UK.
"This is a significant issue as respondents indicated that they are potentially spending 14%, or more of the average weekly wage, on fuel costs."
She added: "This is an even more significant problem for consumers living in rural areas with 25% of respondents spending more than £70 per week on fuel.
"This equates to 19% or more of the average weekly wage in Northern Ireland."
(IT)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.