As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, a ripple effect can be felt across the world – and right here in Fermanagh, the most noticeable ripple effect is the huge rise in the cost of living, most notably through the rise in the cost of fuel.

Home heating oil has effectively doubled in price in recent weeks, with prices for 900 litres of oil now sitting at more than £1,000 among some Fermanagh distributors.

The price of petrol and diesel is where consumers will see the most notable pinch in their pocket, with a large variation in price seen across the county.

On Tuesday, some forecourts in Fermanagh saw prices of between 157.7p per litre right up to 184.9p per litre on some fuel, depending on location.

Elsewhere, with prices standing at more than €2 a litre for fuel just across the Border, the Republic's government has intervened and announced a cut in Excise Duty for fuel. The reduction will be 20 cent per litre on petrol, and 15 cent per litre of diesel.

The cost of fuel is likely to rise still further, given that the UK is now to phase out the import of Russian oil and oil products by the end of the year, the Business Secretary has announced.

The move announced by Kwasi Kwarteng, Business Secretary, was matched this week by US President Joe Biden as the West looks to tighten the squeeze on the Russian economy, following Putin's violent invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the Business Secretary said: “This transition will give the market, businesses and supply chains more than enough time to replace Russian imports – which make up 8 per cent of UK demand.”

He urged businesses to “use this year to ensure a smooth transition so that consumers will not be affected”.