HOUSEHOLD energy bills must come down by more than £450 to hit Labour’s General Election pledges, the SNP have said after Scottish Labour celebrated a reduction in the energy price cap.
On Friday morning, UK energy regulator Ofgem announced that the average annual energy bill for a dual-fuel household would drop by seven per cent from July 1.
The news, while welcomed, was described as “nothing to shout about” by money saving expert Martin Lewis, who highlighted that the drop would essentially cancel out price rises in April, bringing costs back into line with where they were in January.
However, Scottish Labour, who before the General Election pledged to cut people’s energy bills by £300 per year, celebrated the upcoming price drop.
“Under Labour, energy bills are coming down [by £129],” the party wrote on social media.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar reshared the claim, writing: “Good news that bills are coming down and the UK Labour Government’s plan will help cut bills for good.”
Under Labour, energy bills are coming down. pic.twitter.com/HT7XwG8EiF
— Scottish Labour (@ScottishLabour) May 23, 2025
However, the SNP have highlighted how the price cap remains around 10% higher than it was in July 2024, before which Labour were pledging to cut bills by £300.
Dave Doogan, the SNP’s energy spokesperson at Westminster, said that £452 still needed to be cut from energy bills to meet Labour’s promise.
He further pointed to warnings from PwC UK’s infrastructure and regulatory economics leader Benjamin Gough, that energy bills could rise again in the winter.
SNP Glasgow councillor Mhairi Hunter responded to the Labour post: "How stupid do they think we are? This is still 10% HIGHER than the price cap set for the same period last year."
SNP MP Doogan said: "While any slight reversal of the recent increases is welcome, the Labour Party still needs to reduce bills by £452 to meet its election pledge – and there are warnings that UK energy prices could rise again this winter. Meanwhile, families are paying through the nose as the cost of living, household bills and inflation continue to rise on Keir Starmer's watch.
"Scotland is an energy-rich country and it is absurd that we are still being forced to pay sky-high bills under Westminster control.
“The Labour Government must act to permanently reduce bills and standing charges for all households, fully reinstate the winter fuel payment, and abandon its austerity cuts to the incomes of disabled people and families living in poverty.
“It also, again, underlines the need for the UK Government to meaningfully invest in Scotland’s energy future – instead of constantly cutting back or delaying vital investment.”
