Scots “Face a Long, Hard Winter” Due to Labour’s Failure to Lower Energy Bills

SNP MSP: As cold snap hits, Labour must take urgent action

With temperatures plummeting to below freezing as the first cold snap of the winter hits Scotland, the SNP has said that Scots will face a “long, hard winter” due to Labour’s failure to get a grip of spiralling energy bills.

Labour came to power on the back of a pledge to cut energy bills by £300 but they have instead risen by nearly £200 leaving households £500 worse off than they were promised.

It comes as Cornwall Insight predicted that bills will slightly decrease by £22 per year in January but are set to rise again by £75 next April due to increased standing charges. The forecast includes the cost of Labour’s new levy which will mean Scots households footing the cost of new nuclear power stations elsewhere in the UK.

The SNP has long-campaigned for a Social Tariff on energy bills and last week published modelling showing that their introduction could save 660,000 Scottish households an average of £700 a year and lift thousands out of fuel poverty. But this requires urgent action from the UK Government, starting in next week’s Budget.

Commenting, Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick said:

“Scotland is an energy-rich nation and yet we face the scandalous situation where people face paying some of the highest energy bills which are even higher than they were last winter. With temperatures already well below freezing in November, Scots households face a long, hard winter ahead.

“The situation in the Highlands and Islands communities I represent is even more acute, with colder and longer winters, people need to pay even more to heat their homes. The situation is even worse for households off the main grid who face even higher costs. Social Tariffs on energy bills which would save households hundreds each year and lift thousands out of poverty.

“But with Westminster still holding control over energy markets this would require Keir Starmer’s Government to take urgent action rather than sit on its hands as they have done as energy bills have spiralled further out of control under their watch.

“It becomes clearer each day that it is only with the fresh start of independence that Scotland can use our vast clean natural energy resources to lower bills for everyone.”