Action urged on fuel prices

Martina Anderson and Jennifer McCann

Sinn Féin’s Jennifer McCann, Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee in the Assembly, is to call a meeting with the major fuel suppliers in the North to ascertain what they are doing to help reduce the current high price of fuel.
The rise in fuel prices across the island is adding to the economic woe, as businesses struggle with costs and more jobs are lost. And with summer still a seemingly distant hope, the high fuel prices are also impacting on vulnerable sectors of society in need of heat
Welcoming her colleague’s move, MLA Martina Anderson said: “The current and record peak of oil prices is placing a huge burden on both domestic and business users alike. The Consumer Council this week revealed that in May 2009, it cost £48.78 to fill a car with a 50litre tank with petrol and £50.99 with diesel. At the beginning of May 2010, it is £12.00 more expensive to fill with petrol and£10.57 for diesel
“Not only are people in Derry facing the high costs when fuelling their cars or heating their homes but the high prices are having a direct and negative impact on many aspects of life. If for example we just take the delivery section, the costs of transporting goods will increase and therefore those costs may very well be passed on to the consumer whether it be in supermarkets, local shops or at building trade suppliers.
“The high cost of fuel will also have a further impact on those who live in rural areas as they depend more on their cars for travel and access to work.”
She went onto say; “While the cost of fuel has been increasing steadily over the past year due to a weakened pound sterling, we also need to explore what options are available to protect consumers. My party colleague Jennifer McCann has called for the  Finance and Personnel Committee to meet with  the major oil suppliers to the north to examine what they are doing or can do in relation to reducing costs.”