Unions to stage nationwide protests as OFGEM price cap rises by 6.4%

Unions are staging nationwide protests against the increase to OFGEM's pricecap.

Unite is hosting around 40 rallies around Britain, including one in Glasgow this lunchtime and another in Irvine on Thursday.

The energy regulator's cap is rising from £1,738 to £1,849, an increase of 6.4%, which will put average bills up by £111 per year.

The new cap is £711 higher than what households were paying in the autumn of 2021, an increase of 62%.

It is one in a series of price hikes to hit the public today - with the start of the new financial year bringing in a range of increases in electricity, gas, council tax and more.

Jamie Caldwell is Scotland organiser for Unite: "This is a choice between heating and eating for a lot of people.

"They're questioning how often they can put on their kettle, questioning everything.

"There is a lot of anxiety amongst our unemployed and retired members.

"It's no secret how much these energy companies are making in profit.

"With the cost of living crisis, our members are saying enough is enough and we want to see energy brought back into public ownership."

Advice Direct Scotland is urging anyone struggling with energy-related debt to contact its team of experts for free, impartial and practical advice.

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