THE latest announcement of fuel hikes is an outrageous scandal.

How have the energy firms got the front to speak of such things?

British Gas look like the first to do so and the rest will follow like sheep. They are tops at picking reasons as to why they must increase costs while making humungous profits for their owners.

All the public can do to make savings is to turn off the supplies and shiver, wrapped in blankets.

The government does nothing, and regulaters often absolutely nothing.

Most people think that once they have paid their mortgages, they would have a bit of extra cash to enjoy life, but they have a new burden now, called the household fuel bill, and it only ends when they die.

We sit on a mountain of coal that could last decades. Maybe the time has come to uncap our chimneys.

At least then we could have a choice, on top of all the jobs it would create. We need more competition.

GARY DIPPER, Wegnalls Way, Leominster.