Graham Leadbitter MP has been handed a crucial new role at Westminster, becoming the SNP’s spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey MP takes over from Dave Doogan, who now serves on the Scottish Affairs Committee, and brings with him a passionate commitment to making energy policy work for households and communities across Scotland.
Leadbitter’s appointment comes at a time of deep frustration over rising energy bills and broken promises from Westminster.
Before the general election, the Labour Party pledged to cut household energy bills by £300 a year.
Instead, since taking office, the average annual bill has jumped by £281.
That leaves families £581 worse off than what was promised, and winter is still months away.
This week, energy giants Eon, British Gas and EDF issued fresh warnings about what lies ahead.
They predict three further hikes to the energy price cap over the coming year, with rises of two to three percent in October, another one percent in January, and a further three percent expected in April 2026.
Leadbitter says this is nothing short of a betrayal.
He has long argued that areas like the Highlands, which generate vast amounts of clean energy, should not be punished with some of the highest electricity prices in the world.
Since his election last July, he has pressed both the UK and Scottish Governments to support a Highland Energy Rebate.
He believes it is simply fair that the places powering the country should also benefit from lower bills.
“This is an area famous for producing excess clean energy, and yet consumers here pay some of the highest energy prices in the world,” he said.
“That’s a disgrace, not least because this Labour government promised to cut people’s bills by £300 a year.
“Instead they’ve risen by £281, leaving people nearly £600 worse off from what was promised to them.”
He says the cost of living pressures are mounting for families across the Highlands and beyond, with Westminster’s approach to energy doing little to ease the strain.
As energy spokesperson, Leadbitter will press the government not just to honour its word, but to look seriously at policies that would make bills fairer for people in energy-producing regions.
He points to the SNP’s recent successes in this space, including their role in forcing a U-turn on the Winter Fuel Payment cut.
Leadbitter says he is determined to keep the pressure on.
“Westminster’s energy policy needs to focus on delivering more affordable bills for households, delivering net zero, and ensuring the areas that produce the most energy are rewarded, not punished for it,” he said.
In his new role, he promises to keep Highland needs front and centre.
With energy prices set to rise again, the stakes could not be higher.
