Fuel price hike costing us all

Derg Ulster Unionist Party Councillor, Derek Hussey, has hit out at volatile fuel prices that are crippling consumers and demanded that information must be made available to justify, if it is possible, ongoing price hikes in the fuel market.

Cllr Hussey said "Consumers have the right, and government must bear the responsibility, to ask searching questions about ever increasing fuel costs.

"I support the Consumer Council in demanding greater transparency in the fuel industry and look forward to that organisation sharing their findings from a recent review of prices with my Party colleagues in the Assembly!

"Rising oil costs, the weak pound and the reversal of a temporary cut in VAT in January will all contribute to tough times ahead for us all that show no signs of being curtailed.

"With petrol and home heating oil prices climbing it is certainly incumbent on the government to put pressure on suppliers to come clean about their costs.

"Fuel and heating costs impact on us all - businesses, homes, workers commuting and indeed on the freedom of each of us to travel to events and attractions across Northern Ireland in our free time. This is an issue that has wide ranging implications.

"Consumer Council statistics on this issue are shocking - since January 2009 it is, on average £10.98 more expensive to fill your car with petrol and £5.64 for diesel! At the same time it is reported that oil tankers full of oil are sitting 'out at sea' waiting for prices to rise before they discharge their fuel into our refineries! What is going on?

Mr Hussey, the Ulster Unionist Derg Area Councillor concluded by saying that "Particularly in a rural community, dependant on our own transport, we as consumers need to know why prices are continuing to move upwards - what new costs or pressures are faced by the industry to cause such price hikes"