Derry Journal Editorial: Counting the cost this winter
As the evenings lengthen and temperatures drop, households across the north west will be eyeing the months ahead with trepidation as energy costs continue to rise.
In fact the cost of everything has been rising at an alarming rate and outstripping by far any increases in wages and benefits.
Over recent weeks we have seen announcement after announcement that energy prices are once again on the rise. Prices have been particularly affected by the Trump administration's war on Iran and the volatility in the wider region. As of this week, the cost of 500 litres of home heating oil in Derry is nearing £500. In Inishowen it is now over 700 euro. This situation is not sustainable.
While welcome, the £100 for those in the north reliant on oil to heat their homes will have limited impact on the overall cost this winter, as acknowledged by senior politicians.
There are commendable retro-fitting schemes in the north to help insulate homes targeted largely at lower income home owners and social homes, while in the south there are also several government schemes. The problem is that for a lot of households they don't meet the criteria or sit just outside the income thresholds to be able to access these grants. Or they cannot afford the requisite contributory cost.
Much more needs to be done towards helping people with energy costs, including reducing taxes and levies and examining how renewable energy savings can be passed on to customers. The retro fitting programmes to keep costs down also need to be made more accessible to more people. Further financial support should also be examined.
Without action on these issues, many households will struggle this winter. Given the high levels of poverty in the north west it seems inevitable more people are in danger of ending up in debt or deeper in debt, or will be forced to endure periods of extreme cold without any means of heating their home. No one should have to pay that price.