Consumer groups criticise 25% gas price hike

A MOVE by Bord Gáis to increase gas bills by a massive 25% in October has been widely criticised by consumers and representatives of the elderly.

Bord Gáis confirmed that it intends raising the cost of gas by 25.26% in the autumn, adding an extra 52 cent a day to the average residential gas heating bill.

The company had sought an increase of 33.6% from the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) to compensate for the rising cost of gas on international markets but the CER yesterday agreed to sanction 8% less.