Consumer Council welcomes firmus energy gas decrease in the Ten Towns network

This is the third tariff decrease from firmus energy during 2023 and will be welcomed by around 65,000 domestic and small business gas customers. This means the annual gas bill of a typical household with a credit meter will reduce by about £111 per year, those customers with a prepayment gas meter (PAYG) will see their typical costs reduce by around £109 per year.

Raymond Gormley, our Head of Energy Policy said: “Whilst this price reduction is welcome news for customers in the Ten Towns gas network area, energy prices are still very expensive in Northern Ireland and household budgets continue to be stretched for many.”

We urge anyone who is struggling to pay their energy bills or top-up their meters 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 next few weeks to cover energy costs when the weather eventually gets colder during winter.

Raymond continued: “In the short term, we will continue to work closely with the Utility Regulator on maintaining the consumer energy charter (from last winter) with the voluntary co-operation of local energy suppliers and government departments. We are also continually liaising with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to put forward the argument that support will be required by some Northern Ireland households during the winter ahead.”

If you are struggling to pay your bills, or are worried about high costs this winter, contact your supplier directly for help and support. We also have lots of information on ways to reduce bills across your household and an overview of the financial help that is available here.

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