GAS PRICE HIKES ACT OF PROFIT SELF-PRESERVATION

Angus MP, Mike Weir has reacted angrily to reports that British Gas could announce a price hike of up to 25% later this month to its 11 million customers.  Mr Weir fears that more domestic customers will fall into fuel poverty while local businesses could see further pressure on their budgets.

Speaking on the reports Mr Weir said:

“I am appalled by reports of another looming fuel price increase for British Gas customers.  Should British Gas go ahead with further inflation busting increases then this would see increases to the consumer of over 50% in two years and could leave many more families and pensioners falling into fuel poverty.

“This rise would also further decrease the true worth of the Chancellor’s Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners, which is already pegged for the next two years.

“This is an utterly ridiculous situation since Scotland is generating more gas than it needs.  British Gas have raised prices in the last two years to more than cushion the wholesale gas price.  This seems to nothing more than self-preservation of company profits.”

Mr Weir also voiced his concerns as to the effect huge fuel increases would have on businesses in Angus.

“In Angus, a number of local businesses have already raised fears to the increase in running costs and effect on competitiveness by continual fuel rises and further proposed increases could have a disastrous effect on future budgets.

“Many local businesses cannot continue to absorb soaring fuel costs, nor are they able to pass the costs on to the consumer who are already themselves being hard hit by the domestic increases.”