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24 Aug: Whilst I am sure Centrica/British Gas directors and major shareholders will be rubbing their hands with glee at the news BG have increased residential profits by 80% in the first half of the year, I wonder if they will give a thought for the millions of poor and old people who had to rub their hands just trying to keep warm through the cold winter months; ordinary people who were just too frightened to turn their heating on; despite the very cold winter. This announcement is proof that BG and all the other utility suppliers are charging extortionate prices for gas and electricity and it also confirms there is no real competition amongst the utility companies as the Government regulator, Ofgem tries to claim. The truth is this Government stands by and does nothing to stop the greed of these companies. BG has the brazen audacity to admit that even though there had been lower consumption per customer during this period it 'was more than offset' by the effect of the increase in prices in 2008. It seems they are admitting many people were too frightened to put their heating on despite the colder than average winter. I expect the other utility companies to announce similar massive increase in profits very soon. It is scandalous what these greedy utility companies are getting away with. It seems they couldn't give a damn about the consumer being 'ripped off' with continuing extortionate prices that they are charging for gas and electricity, it seems they is no social conscience or collective responsibility. I wonder if the Government will be publishing statistics on the number of deaths caused through hypothermia last winter or the number of people who are now living in fuel poverty? The privatisation of gas and electricity should go down as one of the greatest national scandals of all time; approved by HM Government.

Asked by Roderic

City

Our own half year financial results were published last week – and we saw a drop in profit compared to the same period last year. We’re still feeling the effects of historic high wholesale gas costs but we’re confident we have the right mix of generation – and the right products - to continue to remain competitive.

 

Ofgem’s Monitoring Suppliers’ Social Programmes Report 2008-09 also released last week, shows the sheer commitment the energy industry has towards helping customers who may be struggling with their energy bills. We’re absolutely committed to helping vulnerable, low income customers. The report highlights that we spent £15.4m on programmes last year. In total, we currently spend around £100m each year on our energy efficiency and social initiatives targeted at vulnerable households.

npower
Answered by npower employee at npower.

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