25 May 2006
The UK watchdog energywatch has criticised ScottishPower over its recent warnings over possible energy price rises.
It expressed concerns that the poor would be the ones penalised by rising costs of essential gas and electricity, describing price rises as "an assault on the budgets of Britain's poorest households".
"Consumers have heard this all before. High profits and, in the same breath, dire warnings of higher prices," said Adam Scorer of energywatch.
"It is time for some joined up action from government and the energy companies to soften the impact of soaring energy prices on Britain's hardest pressed energy users."
ScottishPower recently reported profits of £675 million. It also called on all parties involved in the future of the UK's energy needs to seize the opportunity for constructive action offered by the government's energy review, due for publication in the summer.
"The energy review presents an unmissable opportunity for government and industry to decide how to meet the problems of affordability and develop solutions that will stop the least well-off consumers from having to make the tough choice between heating and eating," he added.
"We cannot spend the summer waiting for the weather and people to turn cold before action is taken to protect the most vulnerable."
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