In news that will surprise absolutely no one who has looked at a gas bill recently, SSE Airtricity, Northern Ireland's largest natural gas provider, is hiking prices by almost 19% starting 1 October. That's a £172 annual increase for the typical household in the greater Belfast and west gas network areas, affecting about 200,000 domestic and small business customers.

The company blames "unprecedented levels of volatility in global energy markets and higher wholesale gas prices," which is corporate speak for "the Middle East is having a moment, and you're paying for it." Wholesale gas prices in the UK have effectively doubled since the US and Israel began their attack on Iran, because nothing says 'stable energy market' like closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally flows.

Colin Broomfield from the Utility Regulator called the increase "difficult news for many households and small businesses," which is a bit like saying a hurricane is 'a bit breezy.' Glenn Davis, who runs The Upper Crust restaurant in Larne with his wife, is already feeling the squeeze: his gas bill is around £400, plus £500 a week for electricity. "It is a tough environment, I'm in the trade 30 years and this is as tough as it's been," he said, adding that the pressure on small and high street businesses is mounting.

Gawn Graham, enjoying a coffee at The Upper Crust, suggests the UK government should drill for oil and gas in the North Sea, saying, "Look after your own energy first." He also expressed skepticism about Stormont's promised support, noting, "We are not really seeing the benefit of any of the money." Isobel Russell, also from Larne, says the prices put "a lot of pressure" on her as she lives alone while her husband is in a care home. She agrees with drilling expansion and wants more support from Stormont, adding, "They're not giving us much support at the minute are they?"

There is some relief on the horizon: a Stormont scheme will offer eligible households a £100 voucher for home heating oil starting next month, and a separate scheme will give all households around £50 off their electricity bills in October. So, that's something.

Broomfield attributes the rise to "the sustained rise" in wholesale gas costs due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, noting that wholesale gas has hit 169 pence per therm, twice pre-conflict prices. The conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, limiting supplies and sending global oil prices soaring. The UK, heavily reliant on oil and gas imports (mostly from the US and Norway), feels the pinch, though it does export most of its North Sea oil for refining elsewhere.

Raymond Gormley, head of energy policy at the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, calls the 19.2% increase "a significant amount" and notes that electricity prices already rose earlier this year. He says the conflict in Iran is a huge factor, with gas prices rising from about 80p a therm to more than double that. "It didn't come as a surprise to us, but it will be a shock to consumers," he said. Gormley also reveals that comparative prices in Northern Ireland are about £60 more expensive than the rest of the UK, but a few hundred pounds cheaper than the Republic of Ireland. So, there's that silver lining, if you squint.