WEST Midlands Friends of the Earth (WMFOE) has slammed the decision by energy regulator Ofgem to raise the gas and electricity price cap which will mean people will be paying £693-per-year for their fuel.
And the group has called for a ‘windfall tax’ on fossil fuel companies.
Responding to the Government’s announcement about the cap last week, Chris Crean from the WMFOE said: “The sky-rocketing price of gas will now push people into precarious financial positions, and spells disaster for those already struggling to meet the rising cost of heating their home.
“The Government must announce sufficient support for anyone already finding it hard, or who are at imminent risk, from these hikes.”
He added the announcement came on the same day that Shell reported its highest quarterly profits in eight years.
“Fossil fuel companies are raking it in while people are choosing between food and heating, so the question again has to be asked: why isn’t there a windfall tax on these companies?”
He added the root cause – reliance on gas – needed to be addressed as it had caused the crisis.
“Make no mistake, this will be a year-on-year problem unless the Government is radical now.
“The best time to invest in renewables and roll out a huge home insulation program was 20 years ago, the Government didn’t do it then, the next best time is right now.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak was criticized over his announcement of £200 ‘loans’ for households towards their energy bills which will have to be paid back over a number of years – many said he needed to do more to help those who were struggling.