SDLP leader, Mark Durkan has predicted that Gas and Electricity prices could be cut within days.  Northern Ireland consumers have seen prices rises of around 50% over the last year.  A review of pricing by the utility regulator is currently underway.  Mr Durkan said he is expecting a reduction of around 20% in Gas prices and at least 10% in electricity.

Whilst this news has been welcomed all round, a number of members of the executive have expressed concerns over the Development ministers overall fuel poverty strategy.  Members are saying that there are other ways to help with fuel poverty, like the Warm Homes project.  The Executive are due to meet on Monday to discuss this prior to a special session of the Assembly on the economic crisis.

Mr Durkan said that the Executive must not leave the job of tackling fuel poverty to the energy companies alone and insists that the Executive still deliver a fuel poverty credit payment to vulnerable households.  These measures will be discussed as part of the wider package of measures to ease peoples economic hardship.  The Executive are due to make an announcement on the proposed package on Monday 15th December.