‘We need strong leaders and negotiators’
The latest comments about the Scottish Government with regard to fuel poverty from Emma Macdonald are disappointing.
Emma/the SIC’s record with regard to fuel poverty does not stand up to scrutiny.
I wrote to the SIC in 2021 with some suggestions to fight Shetland’s fuel poverty
- Employ extra workers to insulate/ improve the housing stock;
- Ten per cent electricity discount scheme for every household similar to the air discount scheme;
- Continue to lobby the UK Government for a Shetland Tariff and zonal pricing appears to be a fairer system that could help Shetland;
- Target Viking Energy, SSE and Orion (where are they now?) to support the SIC with fuel poverty issues;
- Set up an energy trust, a body that could negotiate with energy companies;
- Subsequently, I advised the SIC could request wind turbines for their own use, thereby ensuring profits stay in Shetland. This would alleviate the pressure on their budgets and finances.
Despite many energy projects going ahead fuel poverty is still on the rise and our residents are still paying cripplingly high electricity bills.
The SIC had a great opportunity to make amends for Viking with the Statkraft/Scatsta deal. I understand again Shetland has been sold well short with regards to community benefit.
These negotiations are crucial and if Shetland is ever to eradicate fuel poverty, we need strong leaders and negotiators. Everyone involved needs to work together to solve fuel poverty.
Going forward our MSP will have to be able to work with the UK and Scottish governments and the SIC.
Collaboration is the key to eradicating fuel poverty and Emma’s tirade about the Scottish Government does not bode well for the future.
Instead of throwing stones, could you not use your influence as leader to make something positive happen for the people of Shetland?
Colin Clark
Gulberwick
