THE Office of Fair Trading has said it has asked Manx Gas to "clarify a number of issues" about its impending price rises.

This morning (Friday) Manx Gas announced that from Friday, October 8, there will be a 5.5 per cent increase in all natural gas tariffs and a 7.6 per cent increase for Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) customers on all metered, cylinder and metered tariffs.

The company said it has been forced to increase prices in the face of global market pressures on energy prices.

A statement from the Office of Fair Trading said: "The OFT is aware of the imminent increases in the tariffs for both domestic and commercial users.

"Whilst not endorsing the increases, the OFT is in communication with Manx Gas Ltd in order to be able to fully understand the reasoning behind the increases.

"Manx Gas Ltd has already provided the OFT with some relevant information but the OFT has asked Manx Gas Ltd to clarify a number of issues.

"The OFT will make a more indepth statement once it is in possession of sufficient information to enable it to do so."

Also see: Manx Gas prices to increase