A UK energy giant has come under fire amid claims it has failed to reduce its prices despite making multimillion-pound savings this past year.
The criticism comes after SSE revealed it had made pre-tax profits of almost £549million in the six months to September – which means the firm’s half-year profits are up 48% on the same period last year.
Last night, north politicians said it was “unacceptable” that the company had not cut its prices in line with savings it had made on wholesale energy costs.
Ian Blackford, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, said: “For us, the one thing which is a real concern is the serious level of fuel poverty in the Highlands and Islands, and while we realise some of that is to do with government policy, I think power companies have an obligation to do all they can to help the people in this area.
“I think if a public utility company is making this type of return on their investment then I would consider it unacceptable.”
Chairman of the Western Isles Poverty Action Group Angus Mccormack added: “It’s completely unacceptable that 71% of people in the Western Isles are living in fuel poverty as we come into winter, while SSE shareholders are receiving healthy dividends.
“The UK Government has asked SSE to reduce its prices as one of the ‘big six’ energy companies but so far it has failed to respond.
“Serious consideration must be given to calling SSE to answer before the House of Commons’ energy committee.”
Meanwhile, the SNP’s energy spokesman Callum McCaig has called on SSE to adjust their costs depending on the wholesale cost of utilities.
The Aberdeen South MP said: “There’s an expectation from myself that when these companies are making savings they should be passed onto customers in full and without delay.”
SSE chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies acknowledged the supplier had made a “solid” start to the financial year, but said profits were only “half the story”.
He added the supplier would monitor its costs and pass on savings if possible, pointing out that it had reduced its gas prices by 4.1% in the spring.
“We have cut prices this year to reflect the fall in wholesale gas costs and we constantly review these,” he said.
“We are expecting to see a fall in energy supply profits over the full financial year due to our cut and existing price guarantee.”