Gas customers are facing higher bills in the Isle of Man.

The price is rising by more than inflation.

Tariffs are going up by 3.5 per cent, while standing charges are rising 2.4 per cent.

The government’s preferred measure of inflation, the Consumer Prices Index, stood at 2.1 per cent in April.

Manx Gas says its price rises come after formal consultation with the Office of Fair Trading under the Regulatory Agreement.

The increases will take effect from June 1.

Tony Nicholls, managing director, said: “More than two-thirds of the tariff increase is because the cost of gas is above budgeted levels. When combined with the non-gas related inflation, which makes up the balance of the change, we regret that we need to increase tariffs by 3.5 per cent.

“There were three tariff reductions in 2016 and this increase still leaves tariffs below where they were in 2015.

"Inflation is also putting pressure on our fixed costs and despite our efficiency measures we need to increase standing charges by 2.4 per cent.”

The 3.5 per cent tariff increase, combined with the standing charge increase, will add £24.57 (inc. VAT) per year for the average central heating customer on Direct Debit.