John Swinney has demanded that Andy Burnham urgently helps families with soaring energy bills or give the Scottish Government the powers to do so. The First Minister spoke as the Ofgem price cap rose by 4 per cent to £1,723 a year for the average household.
First Minister's warning over price cap rise
The SNP leader said: “High energy bills continue to cause misery for people throughout Scotland. While the UK Government came to office promising to cut people’s energy bills by £300, today’s price cap means bills will be around £300 higher – meaning bills will need to go down by £600 to meet the UK Government’s promise.”
Swinney said the PM must take “urgent action” to support households as further rises to energy bills have been predicted over the winter.
Scottish Government measures outlined
He continued: “Within the scope of our own limited powers, Scottish Government support has saved thousands of households between an estimated £300 and £500 a year. We have also extended the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme into winter, to ensure those with the greatest need can continue to meet the cost of keeping their homes warm, with 6,700 payments already made.
“However, these measures can only go so far and the key powers are held by the UK Government. If they are not willing to act, they should hand the powers over to a Scottish Government that will. In an energy-rich nation like Scotland, no family should be struggling to pay their bills. And with the fresh start of independence, we can use Scotland’s energy to support communities and bring down bills.”
UK Government response
Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, said: “I know energy price rises weigh heavily on homes across the UK this winter. From today, our VAT cut will give households some much needed breathing space, making the energy price cap £45 a year less than it would have been.
“This follows the £150 of costs we removed from bills earlier this year. Alongside this, we continue to look at what more we can do to protect families from unaffordable bills, as we drive down bills for good through clean power.”
