Holly Donovan, a disabled woman living in the Midlands with chronic pain, has condemned Shell's £5.1 billion quarterly profit as 'criminal' while millions struggle with soaring energy bills. The oil giant's earnings more than doubled from the previous quarter, driven by higher wholesale prices amid the Iran war.
Donovan, who grew up in fuel poverty, says her home remains freezing in winter due to high costs. She describes living with mould, rationing heating to a few hours at Christmas, and still facing mounting bills. 'I feel the cold more because of my condition,' she said, noting her spine is fused with a metal rod.
She criticises energy companies and the government for allowing 'criminal' profits while disabled people face cuts. 'The 100 biggest fossil fuel firms made $30m every hour in the first month of the Iran war,' she said, calling for stronger taxes on windfall profits.
Shell's profit rose despite a 4% drop in output due to damage to its Qatari gas plant. One in five UK households now live in fuel poverty, with disabled people disproportionately affected.
