The Mayor of London wants to create his own energy company, to encourage investors who want to build mini power stations. By cutting out the big six energy companies, Boris Johnson thinks the Greater London Authority can supply Londoners with cheaper and greener electricity. Martin Stew explains.
The Mayor's office has announced that the GLA has become the first local authority to apply for a licence to become an energy supplier.
Read the full story– Elizabeth Ziga, from Fuel Poverty ActionWhile wefreeze in our homes and millions of us choose between heating and eating, theGovernment is snugly in bed with the big six energy companies. Handin hand, they're plotting to increase our dependence on dirty and expensive gaspower, which will mean even higher fuel bills as well as rising food prices dueto climate change. With yearly price hikes, soaring big sixprofits and unnecessary and unjust government cuts, the Great Fuel Robbery hasgone on too long
Demonstrators are urging theGovernment to do more to help households struggling with soaring energy bills.
Campaign group Fuel Poverty Action is planning to protest outside the Department of Energy and Climate Change, in central London, to call on ministers to act for families facing the impossible choice between eating and heating.
Risingenergy costs have left more than six million households in the UK in fuelpoverty because they spend more than 10% of their income on heating theirhomes, the group said.
It comes after the so-called "big six" energy companies - British Gas, EDF, E.On, Npower, Scottish Power and SSE - all increased their tariffs this winter, citing rising costs of wholesale gas.
Surrey County Council is encouraging residents to sign up to a saving scheme which could cut energy bills by £200 a year. It wants people to register online with details of their current supplier and their energy usage. The council will then bulk buy gas and electricity from the cheapest supplier.
Security measures are being strengthened at a gas plant in Hertfordshire, that will effectively power the Olympic Games.
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