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Cost of living: British Museum, Scottish Power and Harrods targeted by ‘warm up’ protesters over rising energy bills | UK News


Harrods, Scotland Power and the British Museum were targeted as protesters occupied buildings across the UK as part of a campaign against rising energy bills and fuel poverty.

A series of “warms” organized by members of Don’t Pay UK, Fuel Poverty Action, Just Stop Oil and others, in which people were invited to public buildings to stay warm in groups. .

Protesters sleep with blankets, sleeping bags and hot water bottles in the lobby of Scotland Power’s Glasgow headquarters at 9am.

Another group occupied the great halls of the British Museum – the largest indoor public square in Europe – to draw attention to the museum’s sponsorship link with the oil company BP.

Just Stop Oil members quickly seized beds and sofas at Harrods department store in central London, before being escorted out of the store by about 20 security guards, the group said.

They held up signs that said “Just stop oil, just start insulation”, “Just end fuel poverty” and “oil is death”.

Just stop the oil protesters in Harrods.  Photo: Rich Feldgate/Just Stop Oil
Picture:
Just stop the oil protesters in Harrods. Photo: Rich Feldgate/Just Stop Oil

What are the requirements of the groups?

Other locations for the kick-off include shopping malls in Stratford, Manchester, Liverpool, Brighton and Bristol, and a Barclays bank branch in Hastings, where campaigners will draw attention to bank investment in fossil fuels.

Cardiff, Guildford, Huddersfield, Birmingham, Norwich, Manchester, Stroud, Portsmouth, are also among the centers expected to kick off.

Campaign groups are demanding that the government immediately address the energy and cost of living crisis by introducing Energy For All – a “free, universal energy strip to meet the essential needs of people”. everyone”.

This would pay off by “ending all fossil fuel subsidies, more efficient surprise taxes on energy companies, and higher taxes on our energy use.” luxury households,” they said.

‘We come together to fight back’

millions of households is receiving payments of hundreds of pounds from the government to help tackle the crisis over the winter, but campaigners say this doesn’t go far enough.

Neil Smith is a spokesman for Don’t Pay UK, which has been encouraging people to cancel direct debits on energy bills as costs rise.

He said: “No one should get cold in the winter, but what we are seeing is mass defaults on these exorbitant energy bills and thousands of people frozen in their homes.

“While the government stands by, we will come together in our communities to fight back and keep each other warm.”

Read more:
Energy crisis activists conduct sit-down protest in parliament
Measures to help the poorest this winter ‘short £14 billion’
Millions of people ‘was behind with their household bills

Just stop the oil protesters in Harrods.  Photo: Just Stop Oil
Picture:
Just stop the oil protesters in Harrods. Photo: Just Stop Oil

‘Common people are allowed to starve’

Stuart Bretherton, Fuel Poverty Action campaign coordinator, said: “Ordinary people can’t continue to pay for the crises caused by the rich, it’s time for the polluters and profiteers. big pay his share.

“Through this, we can also incentivize much-needed climate action on home insulation and the transition to renewable energy.”

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: “This government is allowing ordinary people to starve and freeze this winter as greedy energy companies squeeze every last penny out of us.

“Health services are in crisis, workers’ wages are squeezed and nurses are using food banks. Austerity is a political choice and the cost of living crisis is a crisis. unprovoked attacks on civilians.

“Worse, soaring energy prices are funding companies that are burning the climate.”

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