BUDAPEST, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Hungary is preparing measures to shield households from higher heating costs caused by unusually cold weather in January, said Gergely Gulyas, minister heading the Prime Minister's Office, on Thursday.
At a government press briefing, Gulyas said the government aims to ensure that no household pays higher heating bills as a result of the January cold spell. He said a working group led by Energy Minister Csaba Lantos has been set up to work out details of a possible utility cost reimbursement scheme.
The working group is expected to submit proposals to the government within a week, with a final decision to be made at next Wednesday's cabinet meeting.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban said late Wednesday on social media that the government would cover the cost of additional energy consumption incurred in January.
Hungary experienced unusually cold weather in January, with energy consumption around one-third higher than usual, according to Gulyas. ■
