Scope's response to Centrica reporting record profits

On the day Centrica, the company that owns British Gas, reports record profits, Scope highlights the continuing cost of living crisis for disabled people.

Tom Marsland, policy manager at disability equality charity Scope, said:

“It’s obscene that energy companies continue to make massive profits as disabled people face devastating situations because they can't afford enough energy.

“Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled. We’re being inundated with heart-breaking calls from disabled people who haven’t eaten for days, who can’t afford energy to charge wheelchairs and stairlifts, but are still racking up huge energy debts.

“As we’ve seen, many have been forced onto prepayment meters as a result, putting lives and health in danger.

“Energy companies need to start putting disabled customers first.

“We need a social energy tariff - a discounted rate - for disabled people, to put an end to sky-high energy bills.”

Scope is uniting with Age UK on an open letter asking the government to introduce a social tariff. This will give disabled and older people and carers who are facing high energy costs discounts on their energy bills.