Electricity consumers across Northern Ireland and the island could see bills drop by at least 10% if the Single Energy Market is reintegrated, according to information presented to the Stormont Economy Committee.

Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney, the party's workers' rights spokesperson, said the Utility Regulator had informed the committee of significant immediate benefits from recoupling, amounting to hundreds of millions of pounds in savings across the entire consumer market.

The committee was told that the process is uncomplicated and the savings would be felt immediately by consumers.

Since Brexit, Britain's withdrawal from European electricity markets has driven up costs, adding to pressures on households already struggling with the cost of living crisis.

The only barrier to reintegration is a political agreement between the UK government and the European Union, according to the information given to the committee. Kearney called for urgent conclusion of the EU-UK electricity agreement negotiations.