SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan has joined SNP colleagues in a joint letter to the UK Chancellor over the soaring costs of heating oil for off-gas grid households.

Households in the Western Isles are highly dependent on heating oil heating oil with 46% of island homes using oil as their primary source of energy for heating and cooking.

The price of heating oil has almost doubled since January owing to the US-Israeli military action against Iran, prompting instability across global supply chains in the Middle East.

With energy price regulation reserved to the UK Labour Government, the joint letter demands financial support from the UK Government for heating oil users while the issue is referred to the Competition and Markets Authority.

Allan commented:

“I have repeatedly advocated for the introduction on a price cap on heating oil. Previous responses from UK Governments have always claimed there was ‘sufficient competition’ to keep prices ‘competitive’ for consumers.

“This is simply no longer a credible response from Westminster. Despite Labour’s promise to cut energy bills, 46% of island household are now facing the prospect of their bills doubling due not heeding my previous warnings for a price cap.

“I am hopeful the Chancellor will take our letter for action seriously. However, I believe this is yet more evidence why Scotland needs to have control over our own energy policy as an independent country.”