Greens call for urgent action on “obscene” energy price rise
UK ministers must act urgently to protect households from obscene energy price rises, Scottish Greens energy spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said today.
Mr Ruskell made the comments after Ofgem confirmed that the energy price cap would rise by a staggering 54%, exacerbating the cost of living crisis for many who are already struggling after a cruel cut to universal credit and an imminent national insurance hike.
Mark Ruskell said:
“The Tory cost of living crisis is absolutely out of control. While Boris Johnson’s government is preoccupied with sleaze and scandal thousands of households in Scotland and across the UK are being plunged into poverty.
“We know that the long-term causes of the energy price hike stem from the Tories ‘cutting the green crap’ under David Cameron which has led to an overreliance on gas to heat homes and a failure to properly invest in renewable energy and home insulation. I am pleased that with Greens in government here in Scotland we’re seeing action to address these longstanding issues.
“However, the current devolution settlement means only the UK Government has the power to act in the face of these obscene energy price rises now. Most people simply cannot afford a 54% increase in their energy bills. Tory proposals to offer loans to cover the costs or to spread the costs over future bills simply won’t do, especially when there is no certainty about future prices.
“The public have a right to expect serious answers from the UK Government in the face of this crisis, but there seems little sign of those coming any time soon.”