iStockEnergy companies have “stolen Christmas”, campaigners have claimed, as they get set to stage a protest over soaring energy bills in Glasgow.
Activists from the Power to the People group will demonstrate at the offices of Scottish Power in the city centre on Friday.
They are demanding that action is taken to tackle price rises and corporate profiteering, as families across the UK struggle to heat their homes.
It includes a call to end late payment fees and an end to the installation of pre-payment meters.
Matt Kerr, a Labour councillor who helped found the group, took aim at the energy companies for profiting as people freeze.
“We’re coming together to show that we are not going away and haven’t been bought off by any phoney price freeze,” he said.
“We refuse to accept that energy company CEOs can continue to profit from poverty through penalty charges.
“We will not line their pockets while our fellow citizens freeze.”
Frances Curran, a former Glasgow MSP and co-founder of the group, compared firms to Ebenezer Scrooge.
“The energy companies have stolen Christmas,” said Curran.
“In one of the richest countries in the world, thousands of children will shiver as they open their presents next Sunday.
“Do the energy companies care? Not a bit – they are taking in bumper profits.
“If they had any heart this winter, they would cancel the bogus late payment charges.
“Like Scrooge, they will be rubbing their hands and racking up the profits.
“The Power to the People campaign is not going away and we will be the ghost of Christmas yet to come.”
Scottish Power has been contacted by STV News for comment.
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