Home heating oil: Prices jump £100 in three weeks in Northern Ireland

The price of home heating oil has risen again after a period of respite. Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) figures show that in just three weeks the average cost of 500 litres of home heating oil has jumped from £346.59 to £445.37 – an increase of £98.78 (29%). The organisation's Raymond Gormley said the price rise was in response to the recent escalation in fighting between the US and Iran. On Sunday President Donald Trump paused attacks on Iran for the second night in a row. About two thirds of Northern Ireland households use home heating oil, by far the highest of any UK region. Home heating oil prices peaked at £612.37 for 500 litres on average in April and had dropped to a low of £346.59 for the same amount earlier this month. The most recent CCNI figures, published on 23 July, show 300 litres of home heating oil costing an average £276.23 – up from £216.44 on 2 July. A delivery of 900 litres had an average cost of £789.07 – an increase of £173.84 since 2 July. Speaking to BBC News NI in Belfast city centre, Agnes Jackson said she is concerned about the general cost of living. "I really do fear for wee families," she said. Agnes said she switched from oil to gas in