A GAS price hike by SSE Airtricity - its fourth increase in just 15 months - was last night described as "shocking" amid concerns it will be "miserable for many and life-threatening for some".
The company last night announced a gas price increase of 42.7 per cent impacting around 187,000 homes.
The rise for domestic and small business customers in the greater Belfast and western areas will come into effect on July 1.
It is SSE Airtricity's fourth increase in gas prices in just 15 months and comes on top of a 33 per cent rise in the company's electricity prices, which came into effect yesterday.
The Consumer Council in Northern Ireland last night said the rise will lead to an increase of over £370 per year to the gas bill of a household with a credit meter and customers with a prepayment gas meter (PAYG) will see their costs increase by £367 per year, taking the overall average household yearly gas bill to more than £1,200.
Huge increases in the wholesale cost of gas are the main reason for the increases as wholesale costs make up about half of the typical household bill.
Andrew Greer from SSE Airtricity said: "The cost of purchasing natural gas has remained at its highest level in over a decade and at times in recent months, it has hit record highs.
"We would encourage any customer who is having difficulty with their energy costs to please contact us, and we will work with you to find a solution together."
John French, chief executive of the Utility Regulator, said: "Following this increase, the gas yearly bill for an SSE Airtricity gas supply average domestic credit customer will increase by £373 to £1,243 a year.
"While we regret the scale of this increase, and worry about the impact on households, the number one reason for this increase is the extremely high global wholesale energy costs.
"I understand this is not an easy time for many customers. I welcome the series of measures announced by the chancellor for the exchequer to provide support to those struggling with the impact of high energy bills.
"Help is available if you are struggling with your electricity or gas bill. I would encourage you to contact your energy supplier as soon as possible to discuss the options available to you."
Raymond Gormley from the Consumer Council said the "enormity of this SSE Airtricity tariff increase in the greater Belfast gas network is shocking, but sadly it is not unusual".
"Heating oil consumers, electricity consumers and gas consumers outside Belfast are already living with extremely high prices," he said.
"We know the biggest challenge for many consumers right now is having enough money for food and energy.
"Our research shows fuel poverty in Northern Ireland stood at 34 per cent in March.
"This means even before today’s announcements one in three households were feeling their purse strings stretched near breaking point.
"It’s clear that without the introduction of significant support for consumers the coming winter will be miserable for many and life-threatening for some."
