To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) any assessment that has been made of the SSE Airtricty standard gas unit rate increase of 18.97 per cent from 1 October 2026; and (ii) any action she is taking to mitigate the impact of this price increase on customers.

I am concerned about the impact that recent energy price increases, including gas price increases, over which we have no control, will have this winter, particularly for those on lower income or in vulnerable households.

Unfortunately, the continuing geopolitical conflicts, across the world, are driving the increases that consumers here are seeing in their cost of energy.

The Utility Regulator scrutinises every element of regulated electricity and gas tariff increases, including reviewing wholesale prices to ensure the tariff fairly reflects the cost of supply.

While data published by the Utility Regulator shows that average annual electricity and gas bills here remain lower than those in the south of Ireland and in Britain, it is important to ensure households benefit fully from cost of living supports. My officials are delivering the Household Electricity Discount Scheme (HEDS) which will be a payment of £63 to all domestic households applied automatically through electricity suppliers from 6 October, without the need for an application.

I encourage consumers to make use of the Consumer Council website to help them to make informed decisions on buying their energy, whether it’s natural gas, heating oil or electricity.