THE SNP will challenge the Labour Government to slash energy bills by at least £300 — as pledged in the election — as the GB Energy Bill progresses through committee today.
An SNP amendment, tabled by Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, would force the UK Government to regularly update parliament on the progress it is making on lowering energy bills.
The is hoped to pile pressure on Keir Starmer to deliver the election pledge he made to reduce bills by at least £300, which Labour Government ministers have sought to backtrack on since the election.
READ MORE: Labour Winter Fuel Payment vote rebel speaks out after defying Anas Sarwar
The move follows bills rising by 10% this winter, despite Labour’s pledge to reduce bills.
It comes after GB Energy's chair Juergen Maier was unable to provide any detail on when bills may fall as a result of GB Energy.
Under questions from Flynn, the GB Energy boss could not provide a timescale on the delivery of the Labour Party’s principal campaign pledge. During the election, Starmer said the new body would collaborate with councils, communities and the private sector to bring down energy costs.
Flynn has lodged a series of amendments to the legislation passing through committee on Thursday.
One would result in GB Energy revenues generated from Scottish resources invested back into Scottish projects, with an additional requirement put in place for the Scottish Parliament to consent on GB Energy legislation.
Commenting ahead of the committee session today, Flynn (below) said: “The Labour Party promised voters it would slash energy bills, but instead they cut the Winter Fuel Payment and sat on their hands as bills soared by 10% this autumn.
"MPs have the chance to force lower bills and I urge them to do so when our amendment comes before committee. I hope Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour MPs will back this amendment and not break yet another election pledge.
READ MORE: We asked people in Glasgow to name Scottish political leaders. Here's how it went
“The SNP will always put Scotland’s interests first and that includes ensuring that profits from our vast natural resources are used to benefit people who live here through lower bills and investment – that is exactly what we will do this week.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel