Passing Gas for Fun and Profit

The wonders of private enterprise are on energetic display at British Gas, whose owner has decided to induce an artificial shortage next winter in order to boost its profits. Centrica wants to flog off its stored gas because energy bills are too low for comfort, so that the company has made a mere five hundred million in the first six months of the year. In a spectacular paroxysm of corporate Britishness, Centrica has also demanded a handout from the Government while denouncing a rival company for lack of financial resilience. Those who can't afford to heat their homes when the cold weather returns are presumably expected to warm themselves by glowing with grateful admiration.