NEWS

Millions of people using Buy Now, Pay Later services such as Klarna, PayPal and Clearpay are covered by new consumer protection rules from today (Wednesday 15 July), bringing the products into line with other forms of regulated credit for the first time. The changes mean shoppers will benefit from stronger legal rights if something goes wrong with a purchase, while lenders must now carry out affordability checks before offering Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) credit. The reforms af

Thousands of households across Northern Ireland are set to see their electricity bills rise again next month after SSE Airtricity announced a tariff increase of 6.2%. The increase, which takes effect from 1 August 2026, will add around £76 a year to the bill of a typical credit customer and standard-rate keypad customer. For many households already dealing with higher living costs, the latest rise means annual electricity costs for a typical SSE Airtricity customer will incre

More than half a million households across Northern Ireland are facing another jump in energy costs from Friday, with both electricity and gas prices rising amid renewed pressure on global wholesale markets linked to conflict in the Middle East. Power NI customers will see electricity tariffs increase by 6.2% from 1 July 2026, while regulated firmus energy gas customers in the Ten Towns network will face a much steeper rise of 15.65%. For many families already juggling food c

Passengers due to fly from UK airports this summer have been told there is currently “no need” to change travel plans despite growing international concern over jet fuel supplies linked to disruption in the Middle East. The UK Government said airlines operating across the UK are not currently experiencing a jet fuel shortage, while airports continue to maintain fuel reserves to help keep flights operating normally. The reassurance comes amid ongoing uncertainty following the

More than 55,000 electricity customers across Northern Ireland are set to see their bills rise from April after two suppliers confirmed significant tariff increases. Click Energy will increase its electricity tariff by 9.5%, while Share Energy customers will face a much larger rise of 26.4%, with both changes coming into effect on 1 April 2026. The increases mean a typical Click Energy household could pay around £108 more per year, while a typical Share Energy customer could

Rhonda Geary, RUAS Group Operations Director and Cormac McKervey, Senior Agriculture Manager, Ulster Bank, kick off the countdown to the 2026 Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank. The pair are joined by county Antrim farmer, John Cross, who received the award for Champion Clydesdale at the 2025 event. The countdown to Balmoral Show 2026 has officially begun, with the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) announcing that Ulster Bank will return as principal sponsor

Petrol prices in Northern Ireland have dropped to their lowest level in almost five years, providing welcome relief for motorists as the average cost of fuel at forecourt pumps continues to fall, according to the Consumer Council. Following a period of relative stability over the past 12 months, the average price of petrol has now fallen to 124.2 pence per litre, the lowest level recorded since May 2021. Diesel prices, meanwhile, remain unchanged at an average of 131.9 pence

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is to write to Royal Mail amid concerns of the prioritisation of parcel delivery over letters which...

With the countdown on to the festive season, the Consumer Council has issued some tips for those planning on travelling over Christmas. ...