Monday 9th June
2008
GAS PRICE BREAKS £1 A
THERM BARRIER
WEIR SLAMS RELENTLESS
RISE IN ENERGY PRICES
SNP Westminster Energy
spokesperson, Mike Weir MP, has today (Monday) voiced fresh concerns that
domestic energy costs will soar further as the price of gas breaks the £1 a therm barrier.
The spike has come as
the price of oil - which is linked to wholesale gas - surged to a new record
above $139 a barrel on Friday, meaning that the cost of the fuel has risen
sevenfold since 2002 and doubled in the past 12 months, raising fears of both
inflation and recession in oil-consuming nations.
Mr Weir said:
“This is deeply
depressing news for hard pressed consumers, who are already struggling to make
ends meet.
“The cost of gas has
more than doubled over the last year, and this is the first time that the
wholesale cost has breached the £1 a therm mark in
the summer, when historically supplies are cheaper.
“It’s is a case of when
and not if the energy companies will put up prices, and bills seem set to spriral by at least 20%.
“Tomorrow the UK
Government is expected to publish figures that show they are failing to tackle
child poverty, and clearly the relentless rise in energy prices is part of the
problem.
“Not only is
ENDS