Home heating oil in NI has soared by 60 per cent in the past three years

THE Consumer Council has revealed that the cost of home heating oil in Northern Ireland has soared by 60% in the last three years.

Now it is calling for the Stormont Executive to take action and help families struggling financially to make ends meet.

Antoinette McKeown of the Consumer Council said there are eight ministers at Stormont with responsibility for energy costs.

“If we had energy in the responsibility of one government department we may see some changes,” she said.

“Home heating oil has risen 60% in the last three years and 68% of homes in Northern Ireland are reliant on it.

“That’s why we have the highest energy bills in the United Kingdom.”

Garages are now saying home heating oil at the pump or in 15-20 litre drums.

Currently, 500 litres of home heating is costing around £325.