Northern Ireland coal prices set for price rise
The price of a bag of coal in Northern Ireland is to rise by an average of 6.5%, it has been announced.
The increase, which is due to higher transport costs, means consumers will pay an extra £1 for a bag of house coal and 50p for a bag of smokeless coal.
Joanne Gamble of the General Consumer Council said it was unwelcome news for Northern Ireland’s 40,000 coal users.
“Although the number of people using coal to heat their homes is dropping, it is still an important fuel for NI.”
“Many families on low incomes who depend on coal to heat their homes will find even this increase a burden on the family budget,” she said.
“However, we do welcome the guarantee from Northern Ireland’s largest coal supplier that prices will not go up any more in the next 12 months.”
