Fuel poverty campaigners slam 'profiteering' by energy firms

Members of the Socialist Party and the Unite union condemned the "outrageous" profits being made by UK energy firms and called for the industry to be nationalised.

The protest took place in bitterly cold conditions as experts warned the freezing weather would "inevitably" increase people's heating bills. 

Socialist Party member Nick Chaffey said: "The inflation rate may be falling but prices are still rising - and people's wages and benefits are failing to keep up.

Mr Chaffey, second right, takes part in the protest in Above Bar, Southampton (Image: Newsquest)

"The profits made by energy companies are outrageous. Nationalising the industry would be hugely popular."

READ MORE: Cost of living crisis - four ways to save £300 on energy bills

Mr Chaffey also called for an expansion of the free school meals programme to help less affluent families cope with ever-rising bills.

He said: "Children are going hungry. How can that happen in one of the richest countries in the world?"

Unite said the Southampton demonstration was one of several protests staged as part of the newly-launched Energy 4 All campaign, which includes organisations such as Fuel Poverty Action.

The protest took place near the city's historic Bargate as shoppers did their Christmas shopping (Image: Newsquest.)

Energy 4 All is calling for all households to be guaranteed enough energy to cover essential needs.

It also says energy distribution networks, together with North Sea oil and gas reserves, should pass into public ownership to end what it describes as "flagrant profiteering".

READ MORE: Households set to learn of energy bill rise

Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: "No-one should live in fuel poverty, but because of the greed of energy profiteers over the last two years millions of people have faced crippling bills."

The campaign is encouraging people to enter public spaces to keep warm together to highlight the need for action on fuel poverty.

According to Unite, private firms made profits totalling £45bn last year - enough to cut each family's energy bill by £1,800.

Unite community activist Holly Donovan said: "Energy 4 All is calling for radical reform to our energy pricing system.

"Under our current system, those who use more energy pay less per unit than those of us who are tightening our belts and cutting down on energy use. This is clearly upside down and unjust."

John Whitcher, from Fuel Poverty Action, added: "Support from Unite and other movements can help protect lives this winter.

"Fuel Poverty Action will be carrying out further protests this week as we expect government decisions on the return of forced prepayment meter installations."