Rising bills 'due to profit bids'

24/10/11

By Chris Gibbings

A poll carried out for Friends of the Earth has suggested half of the population believes rising energy bills are due to power companies wanting large profits.

In the survey, 50 per cent of the 1,000 people quizzed thought this was the main reason for the near-doubling of bills since 2004. However, 37 per cent thought the increases were due to rising gas prices.

The idea that the rising bills were down to energy efficiency and renewables investment was believed by just one in 12 of those polled, even though it is claimed charges are being driven up by "green policies".

Nine-tenths of people supported Friends of the Earth, which urged a public inquiry into the Big Six energy companies. The call followed claims that power firms overcharged by not passing on savings with fluctuations in gas prices.

"The Government is cosying up to the energy companies instead of calling time on the big energy market stitch-up," said the organisation's executive director Andy Atkins.

He said the "Big Six" were making billions through keeping UK consumers hooked on expensive imported fuels when they could guide the nation to affordable, clean British energy.