Tories Abandoning Rural Scotland - 21/9/22

'GAPING HOLE' IN ENERGY PLAN AS RURAL HOMES FORGOTTEN

The SNP has said the Tory government has "abandoned rural Scotland" by failing to announce any meaningful support for rural homes in today's energy plan.

In the past two years, the cost of home heating oil has increased by more than 230%, rising from £0.31 a litre to £1.05 a litre. For a home in rural Scotland, £100 would buy less than 100 litres of heating oil, which would provide just two to three weeks of heating.

Yet, today (21/9/22), the UK government has announced it will offer just £100 in total to households across the UK who do not benefit from the Energy Price Guarantee.

Recent figures from the House of Commons Library show there are around 129,000 off-grid homes in Scotland dependent on home heating oil.

Commenting, SNP Energy spokesperson Alan Brown MP said:

"The Tories have completely abandoned rural Scotland throughout the cost of living crisis. This latest snub is an insult to thousands of families in rural communities across the country - and it's another gaping hole in the UK government's botched energy plan.

"The cost of heating rural homes is much higher than other parts of the country - with the price of heating oil soaring by over 230% in two years. And yet, just as we face the cold winter months, the Tory government is ignoring calls from the SNP and refusing to provide any meaningful support for rural families in Scotland.

"Scotland is an energy-rich country with more than enough energy potential to be self-sufficient - but yet again we are paying the price of Westminster failure and bearing the cost of not being an independent country.

"While the Tories are focused on boosting bankers' bonuses, and giving billions in tax breaks to big businesses and the rich, they have forgotten about ordinary families.

"The UK government must U-turn immediately and finally give rural families the support they need. With every day they fail to act, they are demonstrating Scotland would be better off as an independent country with the full powers needed to secure our energy supply for all homes."