Let’s turn up the heat

IAIN Conn, the appropriately named energy fatcat, will feel the heat when British Gas is roasting loyal customers with a 12.5% jump in electricity prices.

It is hard to imagine the Centrica chief ’s obscene £4.1million grand larceny is not linked to adding £76 to household bills, despite fuel wholesale costs falling. Once again, we have proof the energy market is fleecing customers, and gas and electricity privatisation a disaster.

The vows by Theresa May’s Tory Government to regulate firms are hot air up to now and it’s no wonder Labour’s pledges to get tough, including the creation of alternative suppliers, was so popular at the election.

Of course, private firms exist to make profits and executives expect to be paid. But British Gas is a symbol of unacceptable corporate greed. Sneakily axing discounts only adds to the impression of squeezing every last penny from households hit by falling living standards as wage increases are low and inflation high.

Mr Conn should think again or he’ll be the poster boy for an unpopular energy con.