Scotland suffers highest energy bill increases

SNP demand UK Government action on energy bills

The SNP has demanded action from the UK Government as new figures show the three constituencies facing the highest average increase in energy bills are in Scotland.

Figures released in a joint report from Energy UK, Citizens Advice and National Energy Action reveal that Na h-Eileanan an Iar faces the highest average increase in energy bills compared to last year at £227, Orkney and Shetland and Ross face a £219 average increase, and Skye and Lochaber a £206 increase.

The Glasgow Central seat, which falls within the top 15, is also expected to see an increase of £154 on average per household.

The report also shows that SNP constituencies will see increases of £54 on average, the highest when compared with £32 for Labour, £19 for Liberal Democrats and £17 for Conservative seats.

Commenting, the SNP's Social Justice spokesperson, David Linden MP said:

"Households across Scotland are paying the price for Westminster failure.

"Scotland is an energy rich country with natural resources in abundance. It is, therefore, ridiculous that families across these isles remain fuel poor, with the top three constituencies seeing the highest energy bill increases in Scotland.

"For too long the UK Treasury has raked in the profits that Scotland's natural resources have generated, while seeing nothing in return.

"Westminster must, instead, use these profits to give families in Scotland a £400 energy rebate, and match progressive Scottish Government policies like the Scottish Child Payment to ease the worries families have this winter.

"Only with the full powers of independence can we chart our own course to green growth in a wider European market. Scotland has the energy, we just need the power."