The energy company recommends jumping jacks against freezing

A British supplier has caused outrage with outlandish advice on how to save energy in the face of rising electricity bills. In a list of ten “simple, cost-effective ways to stay warm this winter,” Ovo Energy advised its customers to cuddle their pets or do jumping jacks, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

The chair of the House Energy Committee, Darren Jones, called the blog entry “offensive”. Britain’s second-largest provider has apologized to its nearly five million customers for “careless and unhelpful” content.

Millions of British households face a rise in energy costs of up to 50 per cent this year. The main reason for this is the high global demand for gas. As a countermeasure, consumer and opposition advocates are calling for, among other things, the temporary abolition of value-added tax on electricity and gas bills. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the move today ahead of the Brexit referendum as a result of leaving the European Union. Johnson is now clearly more cautious, especially as he needs tax revenue to mitigate the economic consequences of the pandemic.