18/07/2002
Fuel racketeering condemned by House of Commons
The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has described the loss of business revenue to the UK exchequer through the sale of illicit fuel as a "scandal".
A report by the committee revealed that the exchequer was being cheated of a quarter of its income through the sale of illicit fuel at more than half the filling stations in Northern Ireland.
The report blamed paramilitary organisations for smuggling the fuel from the Republic. As a result of these losses, the report has called for Customs and Excise to develop its intelligence gathering operations against organised gangs in order to meet its target of reducing fraud to 2% by 2005-6.
The Committee revealed that duty totalling £380m a year is lost in the province because of petrol and diesel being brought across the border. In the Republic diesel is nearly 30p a litre cheaper and petrol is almost 20p a litre cheaper.
The report also said that up to 450 of the province's 700 filling stations are involved in selling illicit fuel, of which as many as 250 may be selling illegal fuel only.
(MB)
A report by the committee revealed that the exchequer was being cheated of a quarter of its income through the sale of illicit fuel at more than half the filling stations in Northern Ireland.
The report blamed paramilitary organisations for smuggling the fuel from the Republic. As a result of these losses, the report has called for Customs and Excise to develop its intelligence gathering operations against organised gangs in order to meet its target of reducing fraud to 2% by 2005-6.
The Committee revealed that duty totalling £380m a year is lost in the province because of petrol and diesel being brought across the border. In the Republic diesel is nearly 30p a litre cheaper and petrol is almost 20p a litre cheaper.
The report also said that up to 450 of the province's 700 filling stations are involved in selling illicit fuel, of which as many as 250 may be selling illegal fuel only.
(MB)
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The gas supplier, Firmus Energy has ended its previously announced summer price freeze and is set to increase tariffs by over 35% from 1 October - fuelling fears over 'fuel poverty' among the most needy. It has around 8,500 customers in the greater Belfast area - compared to competitor, Phoenix Gas - that has more than 130,000.
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Tyrone Arrest Over Fuel Laundering
A border fuel laundering plant capable of producing over nine million litres of illicit fuel a year, evading almost £6M, has been dismantled by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). A man from Co Tyrone has been arrested and is being questioned following a raid at a private address in the Moy area.
Tyrone Arrest Over Fuel Laundering
A border fuel laundering plant capable of producing over nine million litres of illicit fuel a year, evading almost £6M, has been dismantled by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). A man from Co Tyrone has been arrested and is being questioned following a raid at a private address in the Moy area.
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A shocking 75,000 NI households are living in severe fuel poverty by recognised national standards. Yesterday, the Stormont Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland (pictured) welcomed the publication of a report by the University of Ulster entitled 'Defining Fuel Poverty in Northern Ireland: A Preliminary Review'.
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Govt Must Take 'Serious Action' To Reduce Fuel Prices
With 50% of the cost of a litre of petrol or diesel going to the Treasury, the Government must take serious action to reduce fuel prices across the United Kingdom, DUP Treasury Spokesman Sammy Wilson has said. Mr Wilson said: "Fuel duty and VAT make up 50% of the cost of our fuel with green taxes attributing another 7%.
Govt Must Take 'Serious Action' To Reduce Fuel Prices
With 50% of the cost of a litre of petrol or diesel going to the Treasury, the Government must take serious action to reduce fuel prices across the United Kingdom, DUP Treasury Spokesman Sammy Wilson has said. Mr Wilson said: "Fuel duty and VAT make up 50% of the cost of our fuel with green taxes attributing another 7%.
14 October 2013
Applicants Encouraged For Winter Fuel Payment
The Department for Social Development is urging people born on or before 5 January 1952, who have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before, to pick up the phone and check if they are eligible.
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The Department for Social Development is urging people born on or before 5 January 1952, who have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before, to pick up the phone and check if they are eligible.
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