Derry people are feeling the pinch of escalating oil prices with many now being forced into a difficult decision - heat or eat!
Welfare rights officer at Dove House, Kathleen Bradley says people are panicking about how to pay for their next fill of oil, with many companies now charging more than £300 for 500 litres.
Yesterday the 'Journal' contacted 17 local delivery compa
nies for quotes on 500 litres of oil. The cheapest quote came in at £275 from Gallagher and Son, and the most expensive was £315 from Ferguson, Budget and Campsie Fuels.
Many of the quotes are between £25 and £30 higher than a similar survey carried out by the Journal last month
"People were glad to see the good weather," said Kathleen Bradley.
"Now it's cold again they're panicking about where they'll get the money for their next fill of oil. "I feel sorry for people on lower incomes and the elderly. Only for Budget Fuels which allows people to get £50 worth of oil at a time they wouldn't know what to do.
"It comes down to a choice for them, heat or eat. Some are so worried about the cost that instead of putting the heating on, they'll put on an extra jumper. It's a joke. People are worried."
Jude McKinney from Carnhill Resource Centre said people were struggling to keep up with the rising price of oil.
"Everyone's tightening their belts," he said, "especially those on means tested benefits."
NORTH-WEST OIL PRICES
Ferguson £315
Campsie Fuels £315
Budget Fuels £315
Nicholl Fuels £314
Maxol Direct £313
Moore's £310
Vale Fuels £310
Leckpatrick £310
Q Fuels £309
Claudy Fuels £309
Shell Direct £309
McGinley's £305
Kelly Fuels £305
Craig Fuels £299
Gillen Fuels £299
Springtown Fuels £297
Gallagher & Sons £275
*Prices quoted yesterday
