WESTMINSTER cannot be trusted with Scotland’s energy, the SNP have said after it was revealed the energy price cap will be increased in July.
On Wednesday, Ofgem announced the energy price cap will rise by 13% from July 1 due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The hike will equate to a rise of £18 a month for the average household using both electricity and gas, with households seeing an increase of 24% on their gas bills and 5% on their electricity bills.
SNP Energy Minister Stephen Gethins said the price increase simply “does not add up” as Scotland is an energy-rich nation, yet pays some of the highest energy bills in Europe.
“People across Scotland are already struggling to afford their energy bills – and today’s confirmation of a further price hike will be extremely concerning,” Gethins said.
“We are one of the most energy-rich nations in the world, yet pay some of the highest energy bills in Europe – it just does not add up.
“In an energy-rich country like Scotland, nobody should be struggling to pay their bills – and the fact that so many are shows the fundamental problem with having control of Scotland’s energy resources in the hands of Westminster governments.
“Whether Labour or Tory, these Westminster governments have completely let Scotland down – they have used the North Sea as a cash cow, are decimating the industry and giving Scotland nothing in return.”
Gethins added: “Just two years ago Labour came to power promising to cut people’s bills by £300 – yet bills are soaring higher and higher. It is simply not good enough.
“That is why powers over Scotland’s energy must be in Scotland’s hands – so we can make our vast energy wealth work for us and bring down bills.
“We will formally request the devolution of energy powers to the Scottish Parliament, so that we can take the decisive action we need. And if the UK Government refuse, it will only underline the pressing need for a fresh start with independence.
“Energy-rich Scotland is paying the price of Westminster failure. With the fresh start of independence we will bring down people’s bills.”
Following the price cap increase announcement, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The rise in the price cap because of a war we did not choose is deeply unwelcome news for households across the country.”
He added: “We will continue to monitor the situation ahead of the winter and plan for all contingencies. In the immediate term it is essential to de-escalate this conflict to bring oil and gas prices down and as Britain faces the second fossil fuel crisis of this decade, we must learn the right lessons.”
On Tuesday, SNP leader John Swinney used a statement on the first day of business at Holyrood after the election to set out his plans for the next five-year term, with independence at the heart of them.
The First Minister argued that leaving the UK will give Scotland “greater prosperity”, as a result of the country having control over its energy and being able to rejoin the European Union.
On the issue of energy, Swinney said Westminster’s control over it had been an “unmitigated disaster”.
Swinney said: “We produce more oil, more gas, more electricity than we need, and yet the prices we pay – as households, as businesses – are among the highest in Europe. It simply does not add up.
“We have the energy, and in abundance, but we do not have the power.”
The Scottish Greens gave their support to the First Minister as they said independence would be a “means to a greater end”.
The UK Government has been approached for comment.
