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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Jane Corscadden

Cost of living: Belfast protest planned to say 'enough is enough' to rising energy bills

A protest has been planned in Belfast in response to the rising cost of living.

The Cost of Living Coalition was set up earlier this year in response to the rising cost of energy bills. The coalition consists of activists from various trade unions, community and campaigning groups.

As news of the latest price hike emerges, with Firmus increasing gas prices in the Greater Belfast and Ten Towers area by 56.3%, the group have organised a protest for Saturday, October 1 at Belfast City Hall.

Read more: Firmus Energy announce gas price hike by over 56%

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said people are "sickened and angry" at continual price rises, and that change will only come about when "large numbers of people take to the streets."

Speaking to Belfast Live, he said: "News of another round of price increases, this time from Firmus, has really left people sickened and angry at the fact that a profitable company can once again raise prices and drive people further into misery this winter.

"I’m meeting the Utility Regulator this week after having met the Economy Minister last week, continually I have argued for an immediate cessation of price increase on energy.

"Frankly, this won’t happen by persuasion in rooms of Stormont or anywhere else but only when large numbers of people take to the streets and articulate their revulsion at what has been going on and demand action to prevent further price increases, an end the system of maximising profit and bringing energy into public ownership.

"I would urge everybody to attend the cost of living protest in Belfast on October 1st to demand this and more, and to say ultimately- enough is enough."

It comes as a number of businesses across Northern Ireland have reported huge increases in their energy bills, with some even having to close due to increased pressure.

In just three weeks, the price of home heating oil in Northern Ireland has also increased by 25%, the equivalent of £100 on 500 litres of heating oil, more than twice the ten-year average.

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