FUEL poverty campaigners took action at the weekend targeting energy company offices.

Fuel Poverty Action, Unite Community and other groups held over a dozen “warm-up” protests across Britain in support of the Energy For All campaign.

The protests took place at three of Britain’s “Big Five” energy firms’ offices, as well as shopping centres, supermarkets and community spaces.

Fuel Poverty Action entered buildings or public spaces to warm up as a group on the grounds of being unable to do so at home due to unaffordable energy prices.

Fuel Poverty Action’s Stuart Bretherton said: “The energy system, with its high standing charges, forced imposition of prepayment meters and other inequities, literally punishes people for being poor. 

“Energy starvation this winter means that lives will be lost if we don’t see concrete action from this government.

“People are ‘warming up’ to demand our human right to energy is respected and delivered.

“There’s plenty of money in energy company profits to ensure access to clean and affordable energy for all.”

A warm-up took place at Scottish Power’s headquarters in Glasgow and protesters entered and occupied a British Gas office in Cardiff for half an hour, the amount of time they say it takes the firm to make half a million pounds in profit. 

Warm-ups also took place at the Arndale Centre in Manchester and Kirkgate Market, Leeds.

The actions are in support of the Energy For All campaign, demanding that every household is guaranteed enough energy for decent levels of heating, lighting and cooking and protecting extra needs such as medical and mobility aids.