Cost of living: Energy price hikes in Northern Ireland add to mounting financial pressure

Naomi said terminal illness adds further costs for patients, such as the cost of transport to and from hospital appointments.

“There is a huge problem, and you see that struggle often.

“I’m really saddened. The support is limited, there is very little out there. There is no reduction in costs of their electricity, even though their needs are so much higher and essential for their care.”

Naomi added that Marie Curie have called for the implementation of a “social tariff” for people with terminal illnesses, to ease their financial burden.

“It would make such a huge difference to have that bit of extra money in your last months of life, so you’re comfortable and you can spend it with your family,” she said.

She said some people spend the end of their life working because they “don’t have any other access to money”.

“You end up dying not being able to keep your house warm. That to me is just devastating.”

It comes as Share Energy announced electricity prices will also rise by 12.6% from today.

This will add an extra £129 per year onto the typical household bill of their 41,000 customers.

Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council Raymond Gormley said: “This increase has been driven by the continued volatility in wholesale energy costs, caused by geopolitics in the Middle East.

“I suspect some of the other unregulated suppliers may follow suit and increase their tariffs.”

Gas prices outside the greater Belfast also rose on Thursday.

Firmus energy has announced an 8.98% rise for 77,000 domestic and small business customers in the Ten Towns network area from 1 October.

That means a typical annual gas bill will rise by around £87.

It comes after an increase of 15.65% in July 2026.