SNP accuses Government of refusing to act on energy prices

The SNP has claimed the UK Government has refused to act on "needlessly" high energy prices for the Highlands and Islands.

Tabled questions from Ian Blackford MP asked what steps would be taken by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to merge the 14 regional markets, resulting in a reduction in the price businesses and consumers pay for energy in the north of Scotland.

However, energy minister Andrea Leadsom defended the Government’s position, stating: "Moving away from this ‘cost-reflective’ approach would weaken the local accountability of the network operator in ensuring expenditure is fully justified, in turn weakening downward pressures on network costs overall."

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This follows last weeks report by the Competition and Market Authority which found that energy tarrifs offered by the leading six energy companies were around five per cent higher than they should been between 2009 and 2013.

Reacting, Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Blackford commented: “The UK government needs to take steps to ensure there is not a penalty for living in the north of Scotland when it comes to paying your bills."

“The SNP in Government invests in energy efficiency programmes to support people that need help paying their bills or keeping their home warm. With the full devolution of energy policy, we could sort out the mess the UK Government has made of the industry and deliver lower, fairer pricing for all consumers."

"It’s time for the UK to sort out their energy policy, stop driving away investment and instead start addressing their security of supply problems instead of making them worse.”