Figures released today by Energy Watch show that all six of the UK’s largest gas suppliers have seen a drop in the wholesale price they are paying for gas yet continue to increase the retail cost to customers ahead of what will be a very tough winter for working class families.

Solidarity MSP Tommy Sheridan has attacked the firms for what he calls “the great gas rip off. The Co-Convenor of Scotland’s fastest growing political party said:

“Once again we see massive profits being pocketed by those who control the energy in this country while the poorest families and pensioners have to shoulder the burden of providing them with their billions. Chancellor Gordon Brown failed to address the issue of pensioner poverty in his mini budget by leaving the Winter Fuel Payment frozen, just as many pensioners and families will be in their homes this winter. The great gas rip-off continues while Brown offers a grant towards installing central heating. Why install central heating when one in three Scottish households will not be able to afford to switch it on?”

In his pre-budget statement on Wednesday, Gordon Brown failed to increase the payment meaning that pensioners again lose out. In 2003 when it was introduced the Winter Fuel Payment amounted to 35% of the average pensioners fuel bill, by keeping it at the same level it now only adds up to 22%. This mean that pensioners will have to find more money from somewhere or face the choice of deciding whether to heat themselves or feed themselves.