High profits levels add to fuel poverty misery

“Ofgem needs to show its teeth and stop fuel companies from making excessive profits at the expense of their customers” said Mike Jeram, UNISON Head of Business and Environment today (26 July).

The union is calling on the Government to take urgent action to stem the growing number of families being dragged into fuel poverty by the high cost of gas and electricity. It is urging the Government to introduce more energy efficiency programmes to help bring down the cost of fuel and provide help for the lowest paid to insulate their homes to a higher standard.

Mike Jeram went on to say:

“British Gas seems to have sidestepped austerity Britain and passed the pain of the double dip recession onto their domestic customers.

“How can it be right that families across the UK are suffering from pay freezes, job cuts and struggle to pay their fuel bills, at the same time as the company is posting a 23% profit hike?

“We need strong regulation and Government action to protect families and pensioners from profiteering.”