PROTESTERS marched through the streets of Glasgow today demanding an end to rip-off bills and profiteering by energy suppliers.

They rallied at the headquarters of energy supplier Scottish Power, calling for the cancellation of a new raft of “astronomical” price increases planned for April, an end to punishing “late payment fees” imposed by suppliers, a crackdown on profiteering and a halt to enforced installation of pre-payment meters.

In freezing temperatures, the campaigners marched on through the city to the headquarters of SSE, an energy giant formerly known as Scottish and Southern Energy, where they held another demonstration.

Scotland’s Power To The People campaign has united politicians, academics and environmentalists who refuse to tolerate soaring bills while tens of thousands shiver in their homes.

Among yesterday’s protesters was young climate activist Coll McCail, who told the Star: “It’s snowing, so we picked the right day for a demonstration against cold and hunger.”

The campaigners said they had been forced to take to the streets by “a cost-of-living crisis, government inaction and corporate profiteering.”

Campaigner and Glasgow Labour councillor Matt Kerr said: “There’s a lot of chat about who the grinch is this Christmas. Well, it’s not trade unionists fighting for a decent wage and it’s not the people who can’t afford to eat. 

“The grinches are the energy companies, Ofgem and the government happy to steal food from workers’ mouths.

“We are determined they will not get away with their greed.”

Former MSP for Glasgow Frances Curran said: “The energy companies have stolen Christmas.

“In one of the richest countries in the world, thousands of children will shiver as they open their presents next Sunday.

“Do the energy companies care? Not a bit — they are taking in bumper profits. The Power to the People campaign is not going away and we will be the ghost of Christmas yet to come.”

Campaigner Jackie McMaster said that her household bills have risen from £80 to £366 a month over the last year and a half. 

She said: “Trying to get any accountability is impossible. Consumer protection has gone out the window. 

“Energy companies have taken complete control. You can’t complain about it — there’s no-one to listen.”

Scottish Power, a subsidiary of Spanish corporate energy giant Iberdrola, which has more than 37 million customers, was invited to comment.