Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Tuesday 18°CWednesday 13°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityHealthNews

Derry families feeling the pinch as prices rise

written by cassoscoop November 12, 2021
ShareTweet

MANY families across Derry are feeling the financial strain as the cost of living increases.

Energy prices are soaring due to supply and demand issues on the global wholesale market.

The latest cost increase announced on Thursday will see Firmus Energy put up gas prices by 38% from 3 December across its Ten Towns network area, affecting 55,000 customers, including those in Derry, Armagh, Ballymena, Coleraine, Craigavon and Newry.

People in Derry have been speaking about how they are already seeing the effect of the rising costs in their pockets.

It is not just energy prices which are rising as householders see food prices also increasing in shops and stores.

Charities are also reporting an increase in calls for help and have also noticed they are being contacted by police who had never been in touch before.

And the situation has been worsened by the British Government’s decision to cut £26 per week off Universal Credit which was introduced at the start of the pandemic last year.

Damian Walls, who is unemployed and has two children, says he, like many other families in the north-west, is struggling with increases to living costs.

“You always get annoyed when bills are hiking but you just don’t know when the next one is coming as they just seem to be going up continuously,” he told BBC News NI.

“When you don’t have the extra money it is a struggle – I am not working at the minute and I struggle with bills.”

Mr Walls says people are already “noticing it in their pockets” and many are now “a lot more careful about what you’re buying in supermarkets and how much you’re spending”.

“You notice it in everyday life and you’re noticing it in your bills.”

Trudy McIntyre, who is a mother of four and works part-time, says it is a struggle financially for their family.

“I have noticed a big difference in the money that is coming into the house at the minute,” she says.

Ms McIntyre says the family has had to limit the amount of clubs and after-school activities their children can attend in an effort to save money.

“All the wee ones did all their activities before but now we can’t afford to do them all so they have to pick between them.

“So if she wants to do her dancing that’s all she can do as you can’t afford to do anything else.”

Ms McIntyre says both she and her partner are under constant stress because of birthdays that are coming up and making sure their family has a nice Christmas.

“It’s hard on your heart and it’s hard on your pockets.”

Rose Cameron-Hughes, who is a mother of two young boys with a third child on the way, says her family is living week-to-week.

“It’s hard, some days you’re sitting there with the electric going and the gas going and the kids are asking for certain things when you go food shopping and you’re having to tell them no,” she says.

“There are nights you are sitting there and you’re thinking: ‘Have I got enough to last until the end of the week?’

“‘What are the kids going to eat for the next couple of days? Have we got enough bread or milk?’

“It takes a lot of money-managing each week and each month – you have to make sure gas is topped up, electric is topped up and that the kids and yourself have everything you need.”

Patrick Friel of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul says the charitable organisation has helped more people with everything from food and furniture to heating this year.

“The need is there – the numbers that are ringing our helplines are growing every day,” he says.

“Possibly that is down to the Covid-19 pandemic impact and the end of the furlough scheme.

“People are finding themselves out of work or on reduced hours, which means less income coming into the house.”

Mr Friel estimates that his charity has helped about 20,000 people over the past year, with the organisation receiving about 50 calls a day to their office helpline.

“Everything is going up and people are finding it difficult to afford their food bills and, specifically at this time of year, heating.

“It is really shocking at the moment, so many people are coming to us now who would have never come to us before.”

Derry families feeling the pinch as prices rise was last modified: November 15th, 2021 by cassoscoop

Tags:
Damian WallsDerry CityDerry families feeling the pinch as prices riseFIRMUS ENERGYgas pricesPatrick FrielRose Cameron-HughesST VINCENT DE PAULTrudy McIntyre
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Durkan: Western Trust patients face 6 year...

12 hours ago

Gardai face legal action over investigation into...

19 hours ago

Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock win World...

21 hours ago

Visitors urged to be respectful of Sr...

2 days ago

‘We are both fine’ – Daniel reassures...

2 days ago

Derry rep among those taking part in...

2 days ago

One arrested over disorder in Derry

2 days ago

Tyrone writer launches compelling new novel

3 days ago

Advice issued ahead of City Cemetery blessing...

3 days ago

Durkan slams ‘shocking’ Minister response on Foyle...

3 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Gardai face legal action over investigation into Denis Donaldson’s murder

    June 16, 2025
  • Three Derry men fined over illegal fishing in Donegal

    June 9, 2025
  • Derry man who sexually assaulted young woman in Buncrana park jailed for 3 years

    June 8, 2025
  • Man and woman charged to Derry court over drugs offences

    June 8, 2025
  • Two Derry men jailed over one of Europe’s largest illegal dumps

    June 6, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy