Protest to take place at Scottish Power HQ over rising energy bills

People across Scotland are being urged to get involved in the campaign.

Protest to take place at Scottish Power HQ over rising energy billsTwitter

Campaigners are preparing to demonstrate outside the headquarters of Scottish Power in protest at skyrocketing energy bills.

Those behind the ‘Power to the People‘ campaign group have urged others living across the country to get involved.

It comes amid increasing concern over rising household bills, with the energy price cap now forecast to reach over £3,500 from October.

The demonstration will take place at the HQ of the energy giant on St Vincent Street in Glasgow from 4-6pm.

Power to the People has called for a freeze on energy bills, an end to late payment fees, and an end to pre-payment meters.

Matt Kerr, who helped to establish the group, hit out at “fat cat” bosses “raking in obscene salaries”, while they deny workers pay increases.

“The people of Glasgow are at the sharp end of this cost of living catastrophe. People across the city and across the country are now facing astronomical increases to their household bills,” said Mr Kerr.

“With winter around the corner, inaction from the government and companies making huge profits will lead to untold suffering, with countless people thrust further into poverty. 

“While workers across the UK take action, pushing for fairer pay and better working conditions, fat cats raking in obscene salaries will chastise the working class for daring to ask for enough money to live on.

“We have had enough, and we will be taking that message to Scottish Power.”

Former Glasgow MSP Frances Curran also helped to establish the campaign group.

She insisted that ordinary people “simply cannot go on like this” as prices continue to rise.

“Everyone across Glasgow continues to be failed by governments, from councils all the way to Westminster,” said Curran.

“We must see a freeze in energy prices, an end to prepayment meters and an end to debt payment fees.

“Ordinary people simply cannot go on like this.

“Power to the People may start in Glasgow, but these issues affect those all across the country.

“We would encourage anyone facing difficulties now or in the coming months to take to the streets and make their voices heard.”

Coll McCail, a young environmentalist and member of Fridays for Future, added: “The struggle to save our planet and the struggle to heat our homes are intertwined.

“Global warming is threatening the planet and energy prices are going into the stratosphere. We need drastic root and branch change.

“Scotland and the UK must see an overhaul of how our energy is produced, and who controls this production – starting with an end to the profiteering we are seeing from companies amid a cost of living crisis.”

A Scottish Power spokesperson said: “We fully recognise the effect the cost-of-living crisis is having on people across the UK, not just on energy bills but across the wider economy. 

“We have been vocal that this issue is bigger than just one industry and there is a need for more support to help hard-pressed customers through the difficult months ahead.

“The price cap is set by Ofgem and we’re actively engaging with them and Government on what more can be done to help people, particularly the most vulnerable.

“We’ve also strengthened our own support for our customers – anyone struggling should contact us, we are here to help with our dedicated team specially trained by debt advice charity Step Change to help manage customers individual situations sensitively and get access to a broad net of support.”

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