GMB Blasts Failure Of Energy Regulator To Curb Profiteering In UK’s Energy Industry...

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Date: 21 January 2008

GMB labels British Gas price rises of 15% a disgrace

Gary Smith, GMB National Secretary for energy commenting on the announcement by British Gas that they intent to put gas and electricity bills up by 15% said, “These price rises would be a disgraceful at any time. However they come at a time when the company is attacking their employee’s company pension scheme to increase profits even more.

GMB has consistently said that the energy regulator is beset by two fundamental flaws that stop it doing its job. Firstly, it is in thrall to free market dogma which has delivered the highest energy prices in Europe to UK consumers. Secondly, the regulator has behaved like a chocolate solider in the face of blatant profiteering by the industry.

GMB wants a public debate about how the UK’s energy resources are being used and on the control of pricing.

GMB has called on the government to get rid of the regulator and to take on this role itself and be accountable to Parliament on how it does that job.”

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Contact: Gary Smith, GMB National Secretary on
07710 618909 or GMB Press Office:

Rose Conroy on 07974 251823 or Steve Pryle on
07921 289880.

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