FURY OVER POWER BILLS

Spain’s Socialist-led government faces a growing crisis after months of rising electricity bills that have led to popular discontent.

The cost of electricity has reached historic peaks, beating all records in the past four days. The government said the high prices are driven by high demand and increases in the cost of carbon certificates, which give companies the right to emit carbon dioxide.

However, as anger rises people are demanding action from the government.

Disquiet has been evident in many towns as energy company offices have had windows smashed and the poorest families have simply switched off their power as they cannot pay for it. Last month Spain called on the EU to back measures to limit the surges in power prices thanks to the rising costs of gas and permits to burn carbon.