BP could fuel every household in Dorset for 51 years after the energy giant announced record profits, figures suggest.

The oil company logged record post-tax profits of $27.7 billion (£23 billion) last year, more than double its 2021 earnings and outstripping the previous record of around $26 billion (£21.6 billion) in 2008.

The figures come in the wake of Shell also announcing record profits of almost $40 million (£33.2 million), with opposition parties and campaign groups urging the Government to act while the general public faces a cost-of-living crisis.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy figures show households in Dorset consumed a total of 1,626 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of gas and 702 GWh of electricity in 2021.

At the current charging rates capped by the Government with the Energy Price Guarantee, the approximate total cost of fuelling every home in Dorset in 2021 was £447 million.

It means BP would be able to pay the bill of every household in the area for around 51 year.

The news comes at a time when Dorset Council has been urged by a group of councillors to set up a £500,000 'cost of living support fund' to help those disproportionately affected by fuel price increase.

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, said BP was making billions as the Government refuses to give decent pay rises to public sector workers.

"As millions struggle to heat their homes and put food on the table, BP is laughing all the way to the bank," Mr Nowak added.

"Ministers are letting big oil and gas companies pocket billions in excess profits, but they are refusing to give nurses, teachers and other key workers a decent pay rise."

Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves accused the Government of "shielding the energy companies" and called on the Government to introduce a windfall tax.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt responded during Commons Treasury questions, describing his department’s plan as "balanced and fair".

Mr Hunt added: "We will be responsible because we want lower bills, more investment in transition and more money for public services like the police."