UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Friday 26 February 2010

UNISON condemns gas company super profits‏

This week’s announcement that British Gas retail business has made huge profits up 58 per cent at £595m has been condemned by energy unions GMB and UNISON.

National officer Steve Bloomfield said; “As British Gas fat cats celebrate huge profits, the most vulnerable people in society are being left out in the cold. Fuel poverty is rising in the UK and those in most need should be on lower prices. Raw gas prices have fallen massively, so energy companies are piling on the profits, while fleecing customers.”

http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=1752
In announcing the record profits, company bosses criticised recent calls from regulator Ofgem for the reining in of the UK energy market which is the most liberalised in Europe following the utilities privatisation frenzy of the 1980’s.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5fe2b362-21e6-11df-98dd-00144feab49a.html?catid=7&SID=google