In 2001, the government announced a target to eradicate fuel poverty for all vulnerable and low-income households by 2010. In fact, says Peter Reydt there are now about 4.4 million people affected by fuel poverty – and the fault is with the corporations that are raking in the profits.

The huge price increases for gas and electricity announced by Npower, which will be mimicked or even exceeded by the rest of the energy privateers, are a further argument for taking these utilities back into public ownership, argues the Morning Star.