Utility cuts leave HUF 334 bn with households, says govt official

Budapest, July 13 (MTI) – The government’s scheme to cut utility bills kept 334 billion forints (EUR 1bn) in the pockets 3.8 million households over the last two years, development ministry state secretary Janos Fonagy said on Monday.

Fonagy noted that the government-mandated reductions have lopped 25 percent off gas bills, 24.5 percent off electricity, while district heating fees are 22.6 percent lower.

Hungary now has the second lowest price of natural gas and electricity in the European Union, the state secretary said, adding that families would save an additional 240 billion forints through the scheme over the remainder of 2015.