SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan has spoken out against a 6.4% rise in energy bills for the third consecutive quarter.
Ofgem, the UK energy regulator has announced the energy price cap increase, which means most households will see their average bills increase by £111 a year or £9.25 a month. However, the Western Isles already face higher energy bills, higher standing charges, and higher levels of fuel poverty than the UK average.
The rise, which is set to come into effect from 1st April, means household bills will be £159 higher than this time last year. The UK Labour Government have blamed the rising cost of natural gas for the third cap increase since coming to office less than a year ago.
Following the announced increase Alasdair commented:
“Given the high energy costs and levels of fuel poverty in the constituency, this is the last thing Western Isles residents wanted to hear. This once again demonstrates the need to decouple electricity pricing from gas, something the SNP has long campaigned for.
“During the General Election campaign, Labour promised they would bring energy bills down by £300 a year if elected to government. They haven’t even been in power for a full year, yet households are seeing prices rise for a third consecutive time.
“Since the election, Labour have been willing to cut the winter fuel allowance and confirmed that GB Energy will not be an energy producing company. Now our bills are set to increase yet again. Labour says one thing before an election but fail to deliver afterwards.
“I appreciate supply and demand on the global market will have an impact on energy prices. However, this has always been the case, so I am unsure why Labour made such a promise in the first place given residents in the Western Isles are keen to see energy prices fall.
“Whilst energy is reserved to the UK Government, this SNP Scottish Government is committed to re-introducing winter fuel payments and transitioning to cheaper, greener energy supplies. However, I would strongly urge anyone worried about their energy bills to get in touch.”
