Power giants are using a legal loophole to avoid paying millions of pounds worth of tax, The Independent on Sunday has revealed. Scotia Gas, UK Power Networks and Electricity Northwest have reportedly saved £140 million between them in such deals.
The Survation poll found that more people blame the energy companies (59%) than either the current government (15%) or the previous Labour administration (15%) for the spiralling cost of gas and electricity.
The poll came as energy minister Greg Barker promised to "come down like a ton of bricks" on energy companies which are stockpiling cash from customers' direct debits.
Unless customers ask for the money back, energy companies are able to hold on to sums from monthly payments in excess of the amount owed for power used, and are able to earn interest on the money while it is sitting in their accounts.
The Democratic presidential candidate may also have shown his cards on his choice of running mate.
The US president also shared a post on Twitter accusing Dr Anthony Fauci of misleading the public over hydroxychloroquine.
Fears over an impending second wave of coronavirus dominates Wednesday’s front pages.