The British government was today urged to provide financial aid to help some families in Northern Ireland who are facing gas price increases of almost 30 per cent.
The energy regulator Ofreg confirmed it had approved the massive and unprecedented hike by Phoenix Natural Gas.
After studying the proposal the regulator said it was confident the 29.9 per cent rise reflected the cost at which the company was buying gas.
But Ofreg acknowledged the scale of the increase would be a major blow to consumers, particularly those on low incomes.
It will mean up to £200 a year more in costs for families who use the gas from October 1st. Almost 90,000 users will be affected, 80,000 of them domestic.
The Consumer Council said urgent measures were needed to protect those who would find it difficult to meet the new bills.
Mr Wesley Henderson, the council's director of energy, said it was a devastating blow. But he added: "Exceptional times call for exceptional measures.
"Low temperatures trigger special payments from government for consumers. Unprecedented price increases should also trigger special payments for vulnerable consumers."
Mr Dermot MacCann from Ofreg said: "We have seen significant rises in world energy costs in recent months, driven by rises in the underlying prices of wholesale oil, gas and coal.
"We have looked at the proposed Phoenix price rise along with the General Consumer Council and are content that the rise is appropriate given the increase in the underlying costs at which Phoenix are able to buy gas for use in Northern Ireland. "It is solely the rise in wholesale gas costs that is driving this proposed price increase."
Large rises have also been seen across the UK in the past year and more recently in the Republic, he added.