Activists staged a protest outside energy giant Scottish Power’s HQ in Glasgow on Friday. 

The Power to the People campaign demonstrated over soaring bills and what it says are unfair charges and practices by energy firms.

The campaign is demanding that people are not asked to 'pay a penny more' for energy next April.

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It also wants late payment fees to be scrapped by the big energy companies and an end to the forced installation of prepayment meters. 

The group is challenging the UK Government, which is responsible for energy policy, and energy companies to reduce bills for people as the cost of living crisis mounts. 

Glasgow Labour councillor Matt Kerr said: “We’re coming together to show that we are not going away, and haven’t been bought off by any phoney ‘price freeze’.

“We refuse to accept that energy company CEOs can continue to profit from poverty through penalty charges.

“We will not line their pockets while our fellow citizens freeze.”

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The Power to the People group is a collective of politicians, community activists and campaigning organisations.

It is criticising the big energy companies for making “bumper profits” while people can’t afford to pay rising bills.

Frances Curran, former Scottish Socialist Party MSP, is one of the campaign organisers.

She 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. 

"If they had any heart this winter, they would cancel the bogus late payment charges.

“Like Scrooge, they will be rubbing their hands and racking up the profits.”

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Glasgow Times:

One of the campaigners said their bills had rocketed with a four-fold increase in less than two years.

Jackie McMaster, said: “Our bills have risen from £80 to £366 a month over the last year and a half.

“Every time we moved provider, they went bust.

“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. Even if you do get through to someone, they don't know what's happening."