A civil disobedience movement is gaining momentum in the UK. Thousands of consumers have signed a promise not to pay their energy bills in the fall if nothing is put in place to combat the spectacular rise in prices.
With our correspondent in London, Sidonie Gaucher
In principle, for lack of means, to denounce the injustice suffered or while waiting for a solution to be found: for all these different reasons, participation in the campaign ” Don’t pay! (in English, do not pay) is in full swing. More than 107,000 people plan tocancel their direct debits to protest against the soaring energy prices.
On the one hand, charitable organizations are worried about the possibility of heavy debt since a situation of fuel poverty could double and affect 12 million households. On the other side, Ofgem, the energy regulator, warns of the risk of having gas and electricity cut off.
The biggest inflation for more than forty years
Bills should reach around 3,500 pounds (4,200 euros) per year for an average household in the fall. This is an increase of 300% compared to last October. In January, the bills could reach 5000 pounds or nearly 6000 euros. It’s the biggest inflation in the UK for over 40 years.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown published a column in the Guardianto demand that energy companies that cannot lower their rates temporarily become a public utility again.
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