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Northern Ireland Gas Rip-Off
I've already discussed the rip-off charges imposed on Northern Irish customers trying to order PC components over the internet, but today seems an opportune momoent to highlight an even more reprehensible Northern Ireland consumer extortion - Phoenix Gas.
Last year Phoneix Gas increased their prices by 52% in just four months, blaming the rising cost of wholesale gas (which doesn't explain why this made gas in Northern Ireland two-thirds more expensive than in England, but that's another issue... maybe). Anyway, in recent months the wholesale price of gas has fallen by between 50% and 60%. On the mainland, last week British Gas announced price-cuts of a measly 17% and PowerGen yesterday announced price cuts of an unspecified amount would be implemented next month. So what have Phoenix done.
Well, they've hinted (no promises) that they will reduce prices, by some unspecified amount, as of April. April?! Their wholesale costs have already fallen by over 50% and they're making consumers wait until April before they see any benefit. They must think we're idiots - they're clearly squeezing every last penny they can out of their customers.
David Blevings of the Northern Ireland Oil Federation wants to know why the regulator is not putting pressure on Phoenix to introduce cost reductions immediately. Good question David, it's not like they weren't quick enough to put their prices up.