Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has launched a scathing attack on First Minister John Swinney, branding his intervention on the energy crisis as "deeply unhelpful" and an exercise in political point-scoring. The criticism comes just as energy regulator Ofgem announced a new, lower price cap that will still leave millions of households paying significantly more than before the energy crisis began.
A Clash Over Energy Bill Relief
The political row ignited when Mr. Swinney suggested that the UK government should implement a "social tariff" for energy, a policy long championed by Labour. Mr. Sarwar did not criticise the policy itself but instead accused the First Minister of hypocrisy, pointing out that the SNP had failed to use its own devolved powers to help those struggling.
"It is deeply unhelpful for the First Minister to simply say the UK government should do something," Sarwar stated. "He's got powers and resources right now that he could be using." He challenged the Scottish Government to detail how it would fund and deliver such a scheme with the tools already at its disposal.
Ofgem's Price Cap: Limited Relief for Households
The war of words unfolds against a backdrop of a modest easing in the energy market. Ofgem confirmed its price cap will fall by 7% from July, meaning the average annual household bill for dual-fuel gas and electricity will be £1,568.
While this represents a welcome decrease from the previous cap of £1,690, analysts were quick to temper expectations:
- The new cap is still hundreds of pounds above pre-crisis levels.
- Prices remain volatile and subject to global market shifts.
- Millions of households will continue to feel immense financial pressure.
This reality underscores the intense political pressure on all parties to present a credible plan for tackling the cost of living.
Political Posturing or Genuine Concern?
The core of Sarwar's argument is that the SNP is engaging in constitutional grievance politics rather than offering practical solutions. He accused Mr. Swinney of "trying to pick a fight with the UK government" instead of taking responsibility in areas devolved to Holyrood.
This confrontation highlights the delicate dance of devolved politics, where blame can often be shifted to Westminster, and the onus is on opposition parties to hold devolved governments to account for their actions—or lack thereof.
With a general election looming, the debate over how to achieve lasting energy bill security is set to become a key battleground across the UK, and particularly in Scotland where Labour is hoping to make significant gains against the SNP.
