The UK government needs to act to prevent people being unable to afford electricity bills, the Scottish energy minister has said.

Earlier this week the Glasgow Times reported how people in the city were cutting off their electricity supply because they can’t meet rising prices.

The report by the Wise Group found people self-disconnecting their supply and rationing their use to just a few appliances.

READ MORE: People in Glasgow cutting off electricity with unaffordable bills

Some people were shutting down their supply on a weekly basis to try to keep bills down.

Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP raised the reports in the Scottish Parliament with the Scottish government energy minister, Michael Matheson.

She said it was a “scandal” and asked why the Scottish Government had not delivered on a plan to create a publicly owned energy company.

The report mentioned a man who was spending the day in a sleeping bag to stay warm rather than face the electric bill.

She said: “I am sure that the cabinet secretary will agree with me that that is an absolute scandal. I worry for ordinary people as the forecast prices begin to rise.

Why did the Government abandon its plans to create a publicly owned company, downgrading it to an agency to advise on energy efficiency?”

READ MORE: Increase in homeless deaths in Glasgow during covid pandemic

Matheson said the relevant powers lay with Westminster.

He said: “Everyone needs a safe and warm place to call home.

“However, we know that energy price rises are causing concern, especially for households that are in, or are at risk of, fuel poverty.

“Regulation of the energy market is reserved, and we therefore need action from the United Kingdom Government. The Scottish Government is doing what it can by making £10 million available to help people who are struggling with their heating costs.

“That is in addition to the £25 million that we are providing to local authorities to tackle financial insecurity and a further £6 million that we are providing to third sector partners.”

He added: “I am aware of the report from the Wise Group, which highlights a number of very serious concerns about people being forced into fuel poverty as a result of escalating energy prices.

“However, the energy market is regulated by the UK Government and is outwith the competence of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government.”

He said: “The energy markets need to change. The existing system is unsustainable. I have raised that with the UK Government, and we now need concerted action on its part to address what is a growing crisis.”