Scotland’s energy minister has called on the UK Government to reduce energy prices for struggling people.
In a letter to the UK Government’s minister for energy consumers Amanda Solloway, Gillian Martin has pushed for a social tariff to be introduced by using the proceeds of a windfall tax on oil and gas companies.
A UK Government spokesman said all measures to help those in need were being kept “under review”.
Ms Martin wrote: “The Scottish Government has called repeatedly on the UK Government to deliver a social tariff mechanism for those who need it the most, and our call has been supported by partners across the energy industry and the third sector.
“The Scottish Government believes that a social tariff should be funded primarily though the Energy Profits Levy (or a similar mechanism) when energy prices are unprecedentedly high, with recourse to general taxation as prices fall.
“A specific levy on energy bills to fund and deliver a social tariff will not only place undue hardship on priority consumers, but also disincentivise energy savings in the same way that high standing charges currently do.
“I would also like to reiterate my previous offer to work with the UK Government on the design of a social tariff mechanism.”
As well as automatically including those currently on means-tested benefits, Ms Martin believes the tariff should make efforts to help those who are “narrowly ineligible for benefits, are on low incomes and are now in or at risk of living within fuel poverty.
Social tenants and those who have high energy use due to medical or life-saving equipment should also benefit, Ms Martin said.
READ NEXT: Pair charged with alleged cannabis farm find in Cambuslang
A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “We recognise the cost-of-living challenges families are facing and we spent £40 billion paying around half a typical household’s energy bill last winter.
“Energy prices are falling and our Energy Price Guarantee remains in place to protect people until April next year.
“We’re also continuing to support the most vulnerable, with three million households expected to benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount, £900 for those on means-tested benefits, and an extra £150 for disabled people.
“We continue to keep all options under review for those most in need.”
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here