Big six supplier SSE defends its dividends after Miliband attack
BIG SIX energy supplier SSE, which is raising customers’ bills by 8.2 per cent next month, yesterday defended itself against Labour leader Ed Miliband’s accusation that it has a “dividend obsession”.
“Miliband appears to have missed our core purpose, namely to provide the energy people need in a reliable and sustainable way,” said SSE.
“Our dividend policy is the reason shareholders, including many thousands of small shareholders and pension funds, choose to invest in SSE. It is not a case of putting them before customers, we need both shareholders and customers if we are to have a sustainable business.” Miliband yesterday accused David Cameron of supporting the big six suppliers over consumers and continued to pledge to freeze energy bills if elected.