Caithness, Sutherland & Ross MSP, Maree Todd, has condemned UK Energy Minister and Scottish MP, Michael Shanks, for a ‘pathetic’ response that fails to acknowledge the UK Government’s role in the Highlands fuel poverty crisis.
In a response to the MSPs letter on transmission network upgrades and fuel poverty rates in the Highlands, the UK Energy Minister wrote:
“I appreciate your comments about fuel poverty levels.
“As you know this is an area of policy devolved to the Scottish Government and, as such, I cannot comment on fuel poverty levels in Scotland.
“In a general sense, the Government’s view is that tackling energy efficiency is the most important route to reducing fuel poverty which brings down bills and helps us reach our Net Zero ambitions.”
Commenting, Maree Todd MSP said:
“This is a pathetic response from the UK Government’s new Energy Minister and Scottish Labour MP, Micheal Shanks.
“It shows a complete lack of recognition of his role and responsibility in addressing the critical issues within the UK energy market, which are exacerbating fuel poverty in Scotland.
“Although the Scottish Government has made considerable progress in improving energy efficiency in Scottish homes, meaningful reform of the energy market—something only the UK Government can implement—is essential to further progress.
“Let’s not forget that it was this UK Labour Government who decided to reduce support for Winter Fuel Payments, resulting in the Scottish Government’s budget being cut by an estimated £160m.
“And households have now heard that the energy price cap will be rising by 10% – a hammer blow to household budgets and a clean break of a key Labour election promise.
“It is undeniable that the UK Government plays a significant role in the issue of fuel poverty here in Scotland.”
Maree Todd MSP adds:
“The Scottish Government have long urged the UK Government to urgently rebalance energy prices, but it appears that, just like under the previous Tory government, these pleas will once again be ignored.
“Mr Shanks’ response is yet another example of Labour’s failure to deliver meaningful change.
“Instead of offering new solutions, they seem content to uphold the same Tory policies and rhetoric that have long failed our Highland rural communities.”
