Activists target big six firms over fuel poverty

Simon Read
Monday 30 January 2012 11:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Offices of energy companies, local government and housing providers were targeted by protesters over the weekend in a series of co-ordinated nationwide activities to fight rising fuel prices and the increasing number of people forced into fuel poverty.

Protesters from the Fuel Poverty Action Group organised "Winter Warm Ups" outside offices of the big six firms – EDF, British Gas, E.on, Npower, ScottishPower and Southern & Scottish Energy – and at town halls where local councils were accused of not providing decent quality housing and insulation.

Anger has been growing as well publicised falls in the price of wholesale energy have not being passed on to customers. Since peaking last summer, wholesale gas prices have fallen by 31 per cent, while electricity has fallen by 28 per cent. British Gas owner Centrica is next month expected to announce profits of £566m for last year. Elizabeth Ziga from Fuel Poverty Action said: "We want to challenge the big six energy companies which control 99 per cent of the energy industry and make record profits off our rising bills.

"Thousands die each year in the UK because they cannot afford to heat their homes."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in