'OVER-CHARGED' pounds 1.6BN FOR FUEL.Byline: GRAHAM HISCOTT GREEDY energy companies are ripping (1) Converting an audio CD from its native CD-DA format to MP3, AAC or some other compressed audio format. When the term was coined, it had a perverse meaning. Many loved the idea they were "ripping off" the music industry by making copyrighted works available in a compact format off customers by pounds 1.6billion after failing to pass on falling gas prices, a watchdog said yesterday. Consumer Focus said the firms, which raised household bills by 42% last year, are using secrecy over the price they pay for gas to sting millions of customers. Its report said wholesale prices have fallen 17% since January yet electricity bills fell by an average 4.9%, gas 2.9%. They claimed suppliers can cut bills by as much as pounds 74. Philip Cullum, of Consumer Focus, said: "Firms are pocketing pounds 1.6billion extra as millions struggle. They should take immediate action." The EU also began a probe into Britain's energy market and other countries yesterday over fears energy giants kill competition. Dave Prentis Dave Prentis is the current General Secretary of UNISON, the United Kingdom's largest trade union. He was originally elected on 1 January 2001 and was re-elected in March 2005, with 77% of the vote. , of Unison unison, in music, tones identical in pitch produced by two or more parts or voices. In popular usage a vocal composition is said to be sung in unison even though some of the voices are separated from others by the interval of an octave. , said: "They are quick to push up prices, very slow to cut them." But The Energy Retail Association said the amount of energy used can form as little as half of gas bills. They said: "It includes costs of transporting gas and carbon targets, these costs have risen sharply." CAPTION(S): COST Gas still high |
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