AN emergency protest is set to take place outside the offices of the debt collectors who broke into vulnerable peoples homes on behalf of British Gas.
Campaigners from across Glasgow will join forces today for a protest outside Arvato Financial Solutions Glasgow offices.
Working with locksmiths Arvato debt collectors were incentivised to forcibly install prepayment meters in order to receive cash bonuses - encouraging them to ignore customers vulnerabilities.
According to the agents themselves, the homes of single mothers were among those visited most often.
Now, campaign group Power To The People - which has been campaigning against the forced installation of prepayment meters since Summer 2022 – is calling on people to show up outside Arvato’s office to “send a message to all those who profit from poverty”.
Politicians, academics and campaigners are due to attend the protest, which will take place at 6pm on February 10 at 24 George Square.
Power to the People describes itself as a non-partisan campaign, which brings together academics, researchers, councillors, former MSPs and representatives from the climate movement.
During the first half of 2022, Centrica - the owners of British Gas - reported profits of £1.3bn.
Campaigners say that, in spite of handing millions to shareholders, the corporation is determined to pursue the most vulnerable for every penny they have.
In Scotland, 32,000 warrants for forced installation were applied for by energy companies in the first 10 months of 2022.
Commenting on the actions of Arvato Solutions and British Gas, College lecturer and former MSP, Frances Curran, said: “These companies are vultures. Frightening children and vulnerable people, breaking down doors and collecting bigger bonuses the more people they plunge into darkness. This practice should be made illegal in Scotland.
Alistair Craig, Power To The People organiser, added: “We’re protesting against Arvato to send a message to all those who profit from poverty in this city. If you’re in the business of exploiting Glasgow’s most vulnerable people, you can expect a visit from the Power to the People campaign.”
During the first half of 2022, Centrica - the owners of British Gas - reported profits of £1.3bn.
Campaigners say that, in spite of handing millions to shareholders, the corporation is determined to pursue the most vulnerable for every penny they have.
In Scotland, 32,000 warrants for forced installation were applied for by energy companies in the first 10 months of 2022.
Glasgow Labour councillor, Matt Kerr, said: “Amidst a cost of living crisis, Arvato broke into our homes at the behest of an energy company making millions. Their profits are our pain. With energy bills set to rise once more in April, this is an act of violence and greed we cannot let pass without protest.”
