Martina Anderson

“The Consumer Council last week revealed that in May 2009, it cost £48.78 to fill a car with a 50 litre tank with petrol - and £50.99 with diesel," said Ms Anderson.”

“At the beginning of May 2010, it is £12.00 more expensive to fill with petrol and £10.57 for diesel.”

“For example, petrol is currently almost 6p a litre more expensive than it is in the South while diesel is more than 15p per litre.”

“Fuel poverty in the North is estimated to be at 40% - compared with the 2006 levels in England of 12%, 23% in Scotland and 21% in Wales.”