Home heating oil prices in Northern Ireland jumped 81% in one week. The Consumer Council recorded 500 litres at £556 on 5 March, up from £307. The 900-litre price hit £948, compared to £536 previously, and 300 litres cost £347, from £202.

About 500,000 homes use heating oil, with 62.5% of households relying on it for heating. Natural gas serves 284,000 homes.

SDLP leader and Stormont opposition head Matthew O'Toole called on the Northern Ireland Executive to provide a support package for high energy costs. He suggested using part of the £380m extra funding from the recent Spring Statement for bill relief.

O'Toole proposed limited payments for pensioners on pension credit or households qualifying for rates relief. He said the party does not specify amounts but wants planning to start now.

Alliance MLA David Honeyford agreed on reducing fossil fuel reliance. He said families depend on oil and gas, and the Department for the Economy moves too slowly on energy security.

The Department for the Economy published a 2021 strategy targeting 70% renewable electricity by 2030. A Northern Ireland Audit Office report last October noted delays in meeting targets. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said her department will implement the report's recommendations.