As we track the rising cost of fuel and energy, it’s worth remembering the far greater human price being paid elsewhere.

Families across the Middle East have lost loved ones, communities have been devastated, and many are living in fear day-to-day.

We all have fears, but not all are equal - while many of us are concerned about increased costs, it’s quite another thing to be worried for our basic survival.

Against that backdrop, it can feel uncomfortable to focus on the economic consequences of this conflict.

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Concerns about the cost of living or the cost of doing business may seem trivial by comparison, but there is no denying that the effects are being felt here at home.

Since February 28, this conflict has cast a shadow over most economies across the globe, which is evident in higher energy prices, fuel costs, and disruption of supply chains.

Both businesses and households in Northern Ireland are already feeling the strain.

It is however worth remembering that the wider UK economy is less vulnerable to energy shocks than was the case in the 1970s.

This is reflected in a lower dependence on oil and a more diversified energy mix, including renewables, which have strengthened its........

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