£10BILLION IN 3 MONTHS

Call for energy giants to face fresh windfall tax as profits rocket while households feel squeeze

- CHRIS McCALL

ABSURDLY high profits will lead to renewed calls for oil giants to be hammered by a windfall tax this week.

Shell is expected to report profits of about £6.3billion for the first quarter later this week.

The firm last s are ling by as le : year announced annual profits of £32.2billion, the highest in its 115-year history, as it cashed in on soaring energy prices.

Business analysts also predict BP could have earned as much as £3.4billion in profits in the first quarter of this year.

The energy giant will announce its quarterly results tomorrow.

Labour has repeatedly called for a more punishing windfall tax to be levied against major oil producers.

The SNP said ordinary families were "being forced to pay extortionate fuel bills while Westminster reaps the financial benefits".