GLASGOW charities have reacted with fury to news of record profits from energy giant BP as city residents told how soaring energy costs have forced them to lose their homes.
BP announced it will hand billions of pounds to shareholders as it tripled its profits to nearly £7bn in the second quarter of the year.
Amid high oil prices during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the FTSE 100 oil company posted what is the second highest quarterly profit in BP’s history.
But there was a livid reaction to the news as families struggle with the cost-of-living crisis.
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Ross Taylor, a Living Rent member in Glasgow, said he was forced to move from his home just last week due to "extortionate" energy bills.
He claimed he and his flatmates felt abandoned by a landlord they say refused to step in and support them with bills of more than £500 a month.
Ross added: “Finding a new place to live wasn’t something any of us wanted to do but we were left with no choice having been saddled with energy bills which exceeded £500 per month.
"Our landlord collected £940 in rent from us each month but showed zero interest in replacing the decrepit boiler which made living in the property impossibly expensive.
"Private landlords are profiting by raising rents. Energy companies like BP are raking in record profits.
"All of this money is coming directly out of the pockets of working-class communities across the country.
"It can’t go on.”
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Meanwhile, research firm Cornwall Insight has predicted the energy price cap on bills in Great Britain is on track to rise to £3615 a year from January.
Aaron Sheridan, spokesperson for Living Rent’s Ibrox branch, criticised the Scottish Government for not doing enough to regulate the energy efficiency of homes in the private rented sector.
He said: "Rents across Scotland are rocketing upwards at a time when families are making choices between eating and heating their homes.
"Tenants must not be left to foot the bill for this terrifying cost-of-living crisis.
"We need emergency measures to control rents in Scotland.
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"We call on all tenants to join Living Rent, Scotland's tenants union, so that together we can fight for the protections our communities badly need."
BP announced it would hand investors $3.5bn through a share buyback programme, while it increased its total dividend payout by 10% to about $1.1bn.
Poppy Ives, energy officer at South Seeds, an environmental charity that helps support people with energy bills said the news was causing dismay to clients at the Govanhill organisation.
She said: "Many of South Seeds’ clients are struggling to pay their energy bills.
"They are also finding it very hard to understand how and why companies, such as BP, are making such large profits."
Audrey Flannagan, who runs Glasgow South East Foodbank, said the news of vast profits was "appalling" for ordinary people paying energy bills.
She said the effects of the cost-of-living crisis are being felt in her food bank, which also supports clients with energy vouchers.
Audrey said: "If I was a BP shareholder I would be selling my shares because my conscience could not allow me to hold them.
"Anybody with a conscience at all would feel ashamed of the current situation we find ourselves in, not just in the UK but globally.
"These types of large corporations claim to be putting back into the communities they serve but that's a lot of rubbish.
"The people who are only just getting by now will soon not be able to get by and those who are already struggling will be in dire situations."
A spokeswoman for BP said it would pay £1.9bn in UK tax in 2022, after it added an $800m charge on Tuesday to account for the energy profits levy.
Cornwall Insight forecasts average annual household energy bills will be more than £3700 in the second quarter next year, before reducing to £3470 in the final three months of the year.
Inflation is also currently running at a 40-year high.
Louise Hunter, chief executive at Who Cares? Scotland, said the charity is supporting a number of adults who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
She said: "For families already navigating the rising costs of living, this news will be upsetting.
"Fuel cost rises will pull more people into poverty.
"This can sometimes result in them coming into contact with the care system.
"We know from The Promise that we need to ensure families and care experienced people have access to supports and services when they need them.
"With already increasing costs and the news of more on the horizon, it is even more important now to make sure the right support is available to them.
"Through our helpline we’re supporting a number of care experienced adults who are struggling with the cost of living crisis.
"Without the bank of mum and dad they can often find themselves hit particularly hard."
Anyone who is care experienced or looking after someone who is care experienced and needs support and advice to help stay afloat, call the Who Cares? Scotland helpline on 0330 107 7540 or email help@whocaresscotland.org.
A Scottish Government Spokesperson said: "People across Scotland are facing a hugely challenging increase in energy bills, together with wider cost of living pressures, and we are committed to using all powers and resources available to us to support households.
“To help pay for this we have called on the UK Government to implement a windfall tax on all companies making excessive profits, which only they have the power to do, and use the proceeds to target support at those who need it the most.
"We were clear that this must be a balanced approach across sectors and companies, not just energy companies disproportionately based in Scotland.”
The UK Government has been contacted for comment.
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