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

Joined April 2010
928 Photos and videos
Karen Smyth retweeted
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: bit.ly/4qvAmUu
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Karen Smyth retweeted
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: consumercouncil.org.uk/news/…
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Karen Smyth retweeted
📢 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 bit.ly/47gjYPS for further information on joining.
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Minister Caoimhe Archibald at #CBIBreakfast25 this morning.
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Karen Smyth retweeted
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: bit.ly/48Ubhcp
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In @GalgormResort this morning for the launch of @kinecx_energy
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Karen Smyth retweeted
💷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: bit.ly/makeyourfinancesfitte… consumercouncil.org.uk/fitte…
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Karen Smyth retweeted
17 Jul 2025
🧑‍💻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 consultations2.nidirect.gov.…
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On holiday in the Basque region. Loving these bins in my hotel room #recycling #sustainabletourism
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Karen Smyth retweeted
NIFC members at the launch of our latest report: Sustainability Report 2025: special focus – Water. It is available to download on our website:
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Karen Smyth retweeted
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 ➡️ bit.ly/FWP_2025_2026
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Karen Smyth retweeted
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: parliamentlive.tv/event/inde…
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Thoroughly enjoying @IoDNI #wlc2025
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Karen Smyth retweeted
For all the latest advice and support following #StormÉowyn visit @nidirect ➡️nidirect.gov.uk/news/strong-…
27 Jan 2025
Following Storm Éowyn, find information about: • public services • community assistance & drop-in centres Also advice on dangers of: • damaged electricity equipment/power lines • carbon monoxide poisoning nidirect.gov.uk/news/strong-… @deptinfra @Hsenigov @NIElectricity @niwnews
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Karen Smyth retweeted
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: nienetworks.co.uk/help-advic… ☎️Or by phone: 03457 643 643.
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Karen Smyth retweeted
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: nienetworks.co.uk/news/artic…
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Karen Smyth retweeted
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.
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Karen Smyth retweeted
Scam Alert!⚠ We’ve had reports of fake texts and emails from people posing as NIE Networks staff urging customers to make compensation claims. We are not sending these - do not click links or share details. Block & report. Stay Safe! @PoliceServiceNI
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Karen Smyth retweeted
📢 Our monthly newsletter for January has just been published! Top stories include: 🔸Storm Éowyn: The Impacts of the Storm of the Decade 🔸2024 first year to pass 1.5C global warming limit 🔸​​CCRA4 Call for Evidence 📨 Subscribe to future newsletters here: subscribepage.io/climatenort…
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Karen Smyth retweeted
28 Jan 2025
New projections from @NISRA suggest that by 2027 the Northern Ireland population will have more pensioners than children, the working age population will start falling from 2028 & annual deaths will outstrip births by 2031. The population will peak in 2033 then start to decline.
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