Energy Firms Should Hand Back £Billions of 'Excess Profits' to Needy Customers

8.59.03pm GMT Wed 20th Feb 2008

Companies stand to make a £9 billion windfall profit from the European emissions trading scheme

Nick Clegg today called on Gordon Brown to act against "scandalous profiteering" by energy companies.

Highlighting that 25,000 people are predicted to die from the cold this winter alone, Mr Clegg asked the Prime Minister: "Does he realise those companies stand to make a £9 billion windfall profit from the European emissions trading scheme? Does he agree that that excess profit, equivalent to about £360 for every British family in this country, should be handed back to the neediest customers through lower energy prices?"