A widely expected jump in the price of electricity in Northern Ireland has been delayed due to ongoing discussions.

The delay followed this week's news that coal prices are to rise by a quarter, compounding inflated natural gas, oil and food costs.

Also, Phoenix Natural Gas has recently said its prices would leap by as much as 28% next month and blamed the increase on financial speculators driving the wholesale price up.

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The stay of execution at Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has been partly because the General Consumers' Council is fighting for "every penny of possible savings" before an expected 15% rise is brought in by NIE

The Consumer Council's Eleanor Gill has told the NI Assembly's Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee that talks with the eneregy provider were ongoing.

"This is not a question of whether the information is right or wrong," she said.

"At times like this, it is really important that the consumer knows that it might be hard and it might be high, but it is fair and that every penny has been fought for."

The Northern Ireland Assembly has established a task force on fuel poverty after Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said many households faced a bleak and cold winter.

(BMcC)