Northern Ireland Faces «Very Difficult» Winter Amid Rising Energy Prices, MPs Warned
Northern Ireland consumers face a «very difficult» winter due to soaring energy prices if the Middle East crisis persists, MPs were warned. Oil prices have surged, with 900 litres of heating oil now costing £941.78. Experts deem the £100 government voucher for low-income households «inadequate» amid calls for urgent intervention.
Consumers in Northern Ireland face a «very difficult» winter due to high energy prices if the Middle East crisis is not resolved within weeks, MPs were warned. David Blevings, executive director of the Northern Ireland Oil Federation, told the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee that rising oil prices following the US-Israeli attack on Iran had a «devastating effect» on the industry and created a «fear factor» for consumers.
Blevings stated that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the winter outlook is concerning. He added that a quick resolution in the next couple of weeks could see a return to normality by Q4 2026, but a prolonged conflict in Iran makes this winter look «very, very difficult.» Pat Austin, director of National Energy Action NI, described the situation as a «tsunami coming down the line,» expecting it to «get significantly worse.»
Other speakers urged urgent intervention to support consumers and businesses. Low-income households in Northern Ireland will receive a £100 voucher for home heating oil as part of a £36 million scheme, jointly funded by the UK and Stormont governments. However, Blevings called the £100 voucher «miserly» and «inadequate,» noting that 900 litres of home heating oil cost £941.78 on Wednesday, up from £536.72 before the war. Petrol and diesel prices also rose to 154p and 188.1p per litre, respectively, from 124.8p and 132.6p.
Blevings criticized the UK government's support compared to the Republic of Ireland, which reduced fuel costs by 30 cents per litre. He called for reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel. Austin highlighted that fuel poverty in Northern Ireland is already around 40% and the £100 intervention is «woefully inadequate.» William Irvine, president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, warned of an «externally-driven cost shock» for the agri-food sector, while Declan Pang of the Road Haulage Association noted some HGV fuel costs increased by £350 per week, calling it «unsustainable.»