Manx Gas announced today (Friday) that it will be increasing the cost of natural gas by a massive 22.5 per cent and LPG by just over 9 per cent from August 1. For domestic central heating customers in the Douglas area using natural gas, prices will rise by 1.32p per unit (kWh) from 5.863p per unit to 7.183p. For Towns Gas domestic central heating customers, prices will increase from 7.947 to 8.587p per unit and for LPG customers bills will go up by 0.64p per unit (kWh) from 7.047 to 7.687p per unit. Manx Gas said the price rises were the result of ‘dramatic price increases in the world energy markets’. Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading has requested that Manx Gas voluntarily supply their accounts to ensure that customers are not being unfairly disadvantaged. In May 14,000 natural gas customers saw bills rise by 14.2 per cent, LPG having gone up by 13.2 per cent three months earlier. The previous November prices for all customers went up 3.9 per cent - although earlier that same year there had been price cuts. Managing director Alan Bates insisted gas prices remained competitive. He said: ‘We fully understand the frustration and concern of our Island customers. We are equally frustrated but there is no way around the dramatic increases in the price of crude oil and the effect this is having on the world and more importantly the UK wholesale natural gas market. ‘This is affecting every part of our lives, from the price of fuel at the pump, to domestic heating and food prices caused by the increased costs of transportation. We know how hard this hits customers, especially those in more vulnerable situations.’ He pledged that any wholesale prices drops would be passed onto customers in reduced tariffs. He urged anyone worried they could not pay their higher bills to contact Manx Gas.