UNITE will mark the increase in the energy price cap tomorrow with protests across the country, including on the Isle of Arran.

Energy regulator Ofgem’s £221 increase in the cap amounts to a 13 per cent hike and will see the average annual dual-fuel bill climb to £1,862, a staggering 79 per cent higher than at the onset of the energy crisis of 2020/21.

This will heap more pressure on the 12.1 million UK households already languishing in fuel poverty, the union said.

Describing the hike as “another kick in the teeth for workers and families,” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The UK has among the highest energy bills in Europe, they should be going down not up.

“While every day people suffer, energy companies are shamelessly profiteering, making millions.

“There must be an immediate and deep cut in the energy price cap and a plan to renationalise our energy to end corporate greed, beginning with the National Grid.”

That “corporate greed” was highlighted in Unite research showing almost a quarter of households are in energy debt, while firms enjoy combined profits of £30 billion a year and their chief executives grow company stakes by over £6m since January.

Speaking ahead of the Arran protest — scheduled for 10.45am at Brodick Ferry Terminal tomorrow – Unite regional community co-ordinator Jamie Caldwell said: “Our members have told us they are struggling to pay their energy bills.

“Our protest will highlight this huge increase in energy bills, the need for public ownership of the energy companies and to provide a demonstration of people’s anger at never ending increases in energy prices.”

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero was contacted for comment.