A pair of Renfrewshire politicians have hit out at the UK Government over its handling of the energy price crisis.

Gavin Newlands MP and Natalie Don MSP believe more action is needed to support households with their energy bills this coming winter.

It comes after Shell announced second-quarter profits of $5.6billion, whilst British Gas is expected to report that profits have reached an all-time high  of £969million for the first half of the year.

Meanwhile, EDF – owned by the French government – raked in £2billion in profits from its UK operations.

These figures coincide with forecasts that winter energy bills for households are set to remain at historically high levels, with estimates from Cornwall Insights that consumers are still facing a 90% hike in their bills this winter compared to 2021.

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Mr Newlands, of the SNP, accused the UK Government of "sitting on its hands" while many households struggle to pay their energy bills.

The Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP told The Gazette: "It is a disgrace that, in an energy-rich country like Scotland, decisions taken elsewhere mean thousands of our citizens will be facing the choice between heating and eating.

"And the insanity of the UK energy market is exposed as an energy company owned by the French government is allowed to take billions in profits from households here through sky-high prices, while in France they were ordered to cap energy prices by their main shareholder.

"Meanwhile, the UK Government shrugs and allows a broken system to continue to rip off consumers and condemn millions to poverty. Once again consumers are paying the price because of Westminster control."

Ms Don, also of the SNP, said the UK Government is allowing energy companies to make "obscene" profits on the back of suffering households.

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The Renfrewshire North and West MSP added: "As usual, energy companies are quick to raise prices when the wholesale energy price rises but are slow to reduce prices when the wholesale energy price falls. The UK energy market is broken and, this winter, bills will stay at around 90% higher compared to 2021 prices.

"The UK Government has already withdrawn the limited support it gave to households and businesses and continues to ignore the obscene profits generated by energy companies."

However, Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway said: "We have stood by consumers as Putin's illegal attack on Ukraine sent wholesale prices to record highs, covering half a typical household energy bill this winter. Now prices are falling, from this month a typical household will save £426 a year on their bills.

"The government will always ensure that the energy market is working for consumers to protect them from sky-high bills.

"But we also want to see some of these profits invested in better customer services and crucial protections for vulnerable households, and companies work with us as we work to create a market fit for the future."