Gas blast

British Gas wails that profits are down due to low demand in the warm weather, and it also refuses to pass on savings from weak world-energy prices (your report, 1 August).

It is worrying that providers of essential services are making billions for shareholders, when they should be providing these at cost, plus only enough margin for investment in new processes, and to maintain and improve their infrastructures.

Since all these privatisations – electricity, gas, water, postal services and telecoms – prices have risen out of all proportion to the reality of supply and demand, and profits are more important than customers.

They are really no more than robber barons, sitting on the life blood of the nation, and making us pay the highest price they can get away with.

Malcolm Parkin

Gamekeepers Road

Kinnesswood, Kinross