The bosses of Britain’s power companies have been branded “gangsters in suits” by South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle.
Mr Whittle was speaking at a debate in the Assembly on Wednesday and made the comments after a 19% increase in gas tariffs from August 1 was announced by Scottish Power yesterday.
The firm is also increasing electricity prices by 10% – the second price rise in ten months. Other companies are expected to follow.
The increases are expected to make 120,000 customers in Wales £173 a year on average worse off.
Mr Whittle said that the chief executives of the power companies should be invited to the National Assembly to explain hikes in charges.
He said: “How do they plan to help low income families who are struggling to pay their bills? I share the dismay felt as a result of price increases announced yesterday. Some of them are acting like gangsters in suits.”
Islwyn MP Chris Evans also expressed outrage at the hike by Scottish Power.
Mr Evans, who led a Westminster Hall debate on fuel poverty in January, said: “These increases will cause misery to millions of households and drag people into fuel poverty.
“At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet the last thing they need is energy companies hiking up prices despite the massive profits they make.
“This is a double whammy for pensioners in Islwyn who are already facing up to the Tory-led Government cuts to winter fuel payments.
“It is simply not fair that pensioners will once again have to make the choice between heating and eating.”
Raymond Jack, Scottish Power’s UK retail director, said: “Wholesale prices for gas and electricity have increased significantly since the end of last year and continuing unrest in global energy markets means future prices are volatile.
“We understand times are difficult for many people, and we have done what we can to absorb these additional costs for as long as possible to minimise the impact on our customers.”
This really is rich, Labour and Plaid Cymru Politicians critising the power companies for hikeing thier prices, Plaid Cymru`s Lindsay Whittle says “How do they plan to help low income families who are struggling to pay their bills? I share the dismay felt as a result of price increases announced yesterday. Some of them are acting like gangsters in suits.”
He does`nt have to go far to find the answer to this question of justifying increases in costs to low income families at a time of severe economic restraint and difficulty, all he has to do is ask his own Plaid Cymru administered Caerphilly Council, supported I am told by Labour Councillors on Caerphilly council, why they have increased Bereavement charges by 18.5 % to these same "low income families", his party colleagues will tell him it is in order to `drive up standards`, perhaps thats why the power companies are doing the same.
Same pool, same sharks, same principals. Having said all this I still support Lindsay efforts and demands to hold these power companies to account, much the same as citizens of Caerphilly will do the same in respect to the Councils hike in charges by 18.5%.
Sorry, Trevor, you seem to have fallen for the Nationalists lie Machine. Thede Nationalist Death Taxes were introduced anf voted for by Nationalist Councilor – who as aLways trying to avoid rresponsibility for thier actions.
Gareth Williams