Karen Smyth

Director of Infrastructure & Sustainability, Consumer Council for NI. FRSA. Views my own, not those of CCNI. RTs not necessarily endorsements.

[Consumer Council for Northern Ireland @ConsumerCouncil]

Last Thursday, we launched the latest Household Expenditure Tracker findings at our event at Stormont, marking three years of the Tracker.

We held a panel discussion with representatives from the @jrf_uk, @WSN_NI and @AdviceNI. This discussion shed a light on what vulnerable consumers are currently experiencing.

We were delighted to have the @Economy_NI Minister @CArchibald_SF, in attendance, who closed the event.

For more info, visit: https://t.co/rZJoEvOcz8

[Consumer Council for Northern Ireland @ConsumerCouncil]

We recently launched our latest Household Expenditure Tracker for the period of April to June 2025, which outlines the income and expenditure of Northern Ireland’s households.

The latest tracker revealed:
🟣 The lowest earning households have seen their discretionary income fall by 19% since Quarter 1 (January to March) 2021, leaving them with just £52 per week on average, after paying for basics.

🟣 For the lowest earning households, there has been a 5% fall in discretionary income, compared to the last quarter.

🟣 The highest earning households have nearly 14 times more discretionary income left to spend every week, on average, compared to the lowest earning households.

Read the full story and view the full tracker results here: https://t.co/hBzmio9bXz

[Karen Smyth @KSmyth2010]

@Matt_Pinner 14

[Consumer Council for Northern Ireland @ConsumerCouncil]

📢 Still time to sign up for next week’s free online session on how to maximise your finances and get financial help when you need it.
The session will be held on Wednesday 22 October at 11am. A further session will be held on Thursday 6 November at 7pm.
Sessions are open to anyone, whether you want to give your own finances a health check or if you are an employee or volunteer who supports others.
We will share ways to help reduce your bills and details of schemes that may benefit you or someone you know.
Visit https://t.co/4L3lmFltoU for further information on joining.

[Karen Smyth @KSmyth2010]

Minister Caoimhe Archibald at #CBIBreakfast25 this morning.

[Consumer Council for Northern Ireland @ConsumerCouncil]

The average petrol and diesel prices across Northern Ireland have been updated for this week 👇

➡️128.2p/ litre for petrol
⬆️ 134.3p/ litre for diesel

The average price of petrol has stayed the same, whilst diesel has increased.

If you want to find the cheapest prices in your area, check out our Fuel Price Checker, here: https://t.co/x2oY31N1Rf

[Karen Smyth @KSmyth2010]

In @GalgormResort this morning for the launch of @kinecx_energy

[Consumer Council for Northern Ireland @ConsumerCouncil]

💷Are you struggling to budget each month and stay on top of your bills? If so, you are not alone, with 90% of people in Northern Ireland saying they are concerned about the cost of everyday living essentials.

📢 With this in mind, we are today launching our ‘Make your finances fitter’ campaign designed to raise awareness about taking control of your finances and maximising your budget.

Find out more:
https://t.co/b6toKniMml https://t.co/7udHpv4kRK

[Karen Smyth @KSmyth2010]

@Brink_Thinker yes. in Belfast. in the 70s and 80s.

[DAERA @daera_ni]

🧑‍💻Your engagement with the draft Climate Action Plan is vital to meet targets in a fair & sustainable way with collaboration at its core
👉Provide your feedback on the draft plan, attend an online or public engagement event or contact us
🔗Find out more at https://t.co/RIHDfBN813

[Karen Smyth @KSmyth2010]

On holiday in the Basque region. Loving these bins in my hotel room #recycling #sustainabletourism

[Northern Ireland Fiscal Council @NIFiscalCouncil]

NIFC members at the launch of our latest report: Sustainability Report 2025: special focus – Water.

It is available to download on our website:

[Karen Smyth @KSmyth2010]

@smelyansky_igor @ukrposhta Financial inclusion is so important! We've done some research recently about the situation in Northern Ireland. Post Office services are a vital part of ensuring people have access to cash. Smaller scale, obviously https://t.co/pYNUuzhwLv

[Consumer Council for Northern Ireland @ConsumerCouncil]

We want to make sure our proposals for the year ahead are what matters most to you as a consumer in #NorthernIreland
Our consultation for our draft 2025 - 2026 Forward Work programme is open.
Let us hear your views and help shape the work we do
➡️ https://t.co/KQTbhO63IN

[Consumer Council for Northern Ireland @ConsumerCouncil]

Today, our Director of Strategy and Emerging Markets, Anne-Marie Murphy, shared insights into the lived experiences of NI consumers with the @CommonsNIAC covering parcel movements, GB retailers not delivering to NI, food shopping experiences and the advocacy work we undertake to represent consumer interests.

Watch the evidence session here: https://t.co/PBbrNqX49y

[Karen Smyth @KSmyth2010]

Thoroughly enjoying @IoDNI #wlc2025

[Consumer Council for Northern Ireland @ConsumerCouncil]

For all the latest advice and support following #StormÉowyn visit @nidirect
➡️https://t.co/st6o7cjCfD

[Consumer Council for Northern Ireland @ConsumerCouncil]

If you, or someone you know, relies on electricity for healthcare needs, you can join @NIElectricity's Medical Customer Care Register to get extra support during a power cut. Being on the register means you will receive up to date information by phone during a power cut or a planned interruption to your supply.

💻Register online here: https://t.co/N68gCmilbH

☎️Or by phone: [phone].

[NIE Networks @NIElectricity]

Community Assistance Centres are still open for those impacted by Storm Éowyn. You can charge phones, access wi-fi, shower and keep warm. NIE reps will be at a number of these venues. Further information here: https://t.co/ndrtUroQoI

[NIE Networks @NIElectricity]

25,000 customers remain without electricity across Northern Ireland this morning. We continue to work to restore power to all those still affected. Over 1400 staff are escalated, additional staff from other agencies and further resources arriving today to support the repairs.