Budget will leave many Scots ‘staring down barrel’ of high energy bills – SNP

The Labour Government’s Budget will leave thousands of Scots “staring down the barrel of even higher energy bills”, the SNP said as it released new energy analysis.

The analysis from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre shows that more than 800,000 Scots could face higher gas bills because of a decision to replace standing charges with higher gas unit prices.

A further 142,000 Scots are relying on heating oil which has seen costs rise because of conflict in the Middle East.

SNP Westminster Group Leader Dave Doogan said the predicted rise in bills is an ‘injustice to which Westminster has no answer’ (Jane Barlow/PA)

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SNP Westminster Leader Dave Doogan MP said the predicted rise in bills is an “injustice to which Westminster has no answer”.

He said: “The short read of the Labour Government’s Budget is that once again energy bills will go up for families in energy-rich Scotland – and now independent analysis spells that out as plain as day.

“One million Scots are staring down the barrel of even higher energy bills so the British Government can subsidise the costs of those in warmer parts of the UK.

“There is a very simple injustice that Scots know all too well.

“Scotland produces the vast majority of oil and gas in the UK, and more than a third of renewable energy generation, yet under Westminster control we are forced to pay the highest energy bills in Europe.

“An injustice to which Westminster has no answer.”

Chancellor John Healey on Wednesday announced a £100 payment towards energy bills in his first Budget since taking the job.

Households assessed as being in council tax bands A to D will receive the money, with Mr Healey telling the House of Commons the devolved nations will receive “their share”.

The Scottish Government said it will pass on the £100 payment towards energy bills.

However, energy bills are also forecast to rise in January by 27%, which the SNP has said would mean such bills could be £1,000 higher than the Labour Party had promised.

Mr Doogan said: “Let’s not forget, Scottish voters were told the Labour Party would cut energy bills by £300.

“It is now on them to explain why bills will be more than £1,000 higher than promised – and why they have just asked those hit hardest in Scotland to pay even more to subsidise other parts of the UK.”

He continued: “The UK Labour Government tried to pull the wool over the eyes of Scots, but no amount of trickery can hide the sky-high bills that will drop through the letter box this winter.

“This is a national scandal that can only be addressed through a fresh start with independence – when we put Scotland’s energy in Scotland’s hands and put our vast resources to work for our people.”

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: “The action we have taken to remove gas standing charges will make bills fairer, giving consumers greater control over their energy bills.

“We are also providing funding for the Scottish Government to replicate the £100 energy payment we are delivering in England to give families breathing space.

“Tackling the affordability crisis is this Government’s number one priority.”