Centrica boss defends prices as British Gas profits fall

The owner of British Gas, Centrica, has announced a sharp fall in profits for the first half of this year.

Operating profit at the parent company was down 35% at £1.03bn.

Centrica's chief executive Sam Laidlaw told the BBC gas use was down as result of warmer weather.

Critics say the company is still failing to reduce bills further as a result of lower wholesale gas prices.

Mr Laidlaw insisted the company was doing what it could to reduce pressure on household bills.