Protesters form united front against Centrica

More than 20 protest groups will demonstrate outside British Gas-owner Centrica's annual general meeting in London on Monday.

They're fed up with rising fuel poverty, excessive profits and the energy giant's effect on our climate. Demonstrators from Fuel Poverty Action, Disabled People Against Cuts, Friends of the Earth, Frack Off London and the Greater London Pensioners Association have combined under the "Bin British Gas: Put Power in Public Hands!" banner.

Around 5 million UK homes are in debt to their energy firm while one in four is being forced to choose between heating and eating.

British Gas profits were £600m last year, after it hiked gas prices by 10.4 per cent in November and electrictyprices by 8.4 per cent. Centrica's profits were £2.5bn.

The firm was recently fined £5.6m for blocking businesses from switching suppliers while Centrica angered climate campaigners by partnering with fracking firm Cuadrilla to drill for shale gas in the North West.

Clare Welton of Fuel Poverty Action said: "People are dissatisfied with the current energy system and in favour of renewable and publicly controlled energy.

"Yet British Gas ploughs ahead with killer prices for-profit energy and unsustainable fracking."