Politicians are being urged to get tough on the Big Six energy companies with 90 per cent of Brits backing a call for a public inquiry into their power and half believing the main reason for bills doubling since 2004 is energy company greed, according to a new survey released today by Friends of the Earth (Saturday 21 October).

Martin Lewis, creator of Moneysavingexpert.com joined calls for politicians and regulators to make “radical changes” to the energy system following a summit on Monday where the Government failed to tackle the energy company rip-off.

Friends of the Earth’s new Final Demand campaign is challenging the Government to launch a public inquiry into the power of the Big Six who are making billions in profits while an estimated one in four households are unable to afford their energy bills following recent price hikes.

The campaigning charity took to the street as spoof representatives of the Big Six on Monday to thank consumers for soaring profits – and is asking people to sign its petition urging David Cameron to set up a public inquiry into the Big Six at www.foe.co.uk/finaldemand

Andy Atkins, executive director of Friends of the Earth, said:

“The Government is cozying up to the energy companies instead of calling time on the big energy market stitch-up.

“The Big Six are making billions by keeping the UK hooked on expensive imported fuels instead of setting us on a path to affordable, clean British energy.

“We’re making a Final Demand of David Cameron on behalf of families in Britain – launch an urgent public inquiry into the Big Six and give us a fair energy system.”

Martin Lewis, creator of Moneysavingexpert.com, said:

“Don't blame the energy companies for high prices. Their job isn't to look after us or keep us warm, it’s to make money for shareholders.

“It's the job of politicians and regulators to ensure that people aren't choosing between heating and eating. We need a fairer system not a talking shop.

“While of course I support telling people to switch, after all I've been doing it ten years, if that’s the grand fromage idea we're all in trouble. What we need is radical change to bring prices down for the many.”

He added:

“I do suspect I'm the only one who walked out of the energy summit to see the Friends of the Earth’s Big Six spoof who laughed out loud – but the energy bills many face is beyond a joke.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. GfK NOP carried out a nationally representative telephone omnibus survey amongst 1003 adults aged 16+. Fieldwork was carried out 7th – 9th October, weighting was applied to the data to bring it in line with national profiles.
Full results available from Friends of the Earth press office on 0207 566 1649.

2. Hi-res photos are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwwfoecouk/sets/72157627913390086/ and a video of Friends of the Earth’s stunt is available at www.youtube.com/friendsoftheearth

3. Friends of the Earth spokespeople, including Executive Director Andy Atkins, Director of Policy and Campaigns Craig Bennett and energy campaigners Paul Steedman and Donna Hume, are available for interview. Please contact the press office on 020 7566 1649 to arrange an interview or background chat.

4. Case studies are available from Friends of the Earth press office – please call 0207 566 1649 for details. They include:
• A family that has installed solar panels because of rising energy prices and has seen a huge reduction in bills;
• A retired pensioner who has changed to a green energy tariff because he’s had enough of the big energy suppliers;
• A thirty-something writer who is sick of energy price rises and the dodgy behaviour of the big energy companies and wants Government to act;
• The owner of a small solar panel installation business who’s created new jobs because of Government support for green energy, and wants to see it continue;
• The CEO of a green energy company already supplying tens of thousands of customers and looking for the opportunity to do more to take Britain towards a green future.

5. A full copy of Friends of the Earth’s report into the Big Six, ‘The dirty half dozen’ is available on request from the press office – please call 020 7566 1649.

6. Friends of the Earth research shows that a green energy revolution is needed to stabilise energy bills in the long run. For information see: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/emr_12072011.html