Scottish Government calls for energy powers to be devolved to Holyrood
THE SCOTTISH Government is to call for energy powers to be immediately devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
In a statement to MSPs, newly appointed energy minister Stephen Gethins will urge the UK Government to support the transfer of energy powers to allow the Scottish Government to take action to lower the cost of energy.
Gethins will say that too many households, communities, and businesses still face unacceptably high energy bills in Scotland.
And he will add that Scottish ministers could help reduce bills, tackle fuel poverty and secure high-quality jobs now and into the future if given the power to do so.
Gethins is expected to say that it is “more important than ever” that Scotland takes control of its energy powers, a day after Ofgem announced the energy price cap would rise again.
“This disconnect between Scotland’s energy wealth and the daily reality facing Scottish households is not inevitable,” Gethins will say,
“It is a consequence of a constitutional arrangement that leaves decisions about Scotland’s energy in the hands of Westminster – that has delivered among the highest energy bills in Europe.
“Scotland has the energy but it does not have the power.
“I urge members across the chamber to support this motion and stand with the Scottish Government in requesting the transfer of energy powers.”
First minister John Swinney criticised the UK Government’s control of the energy market on a visit to Sullom Voe oil terminal in February.
“It’s an energy market that essentially does not reward the areas of the country that generate renewable energy – it rewards the corporations behind it,” he said.
“Until such time we have the power in Scotland to make sure the energy wealth of Scotland is used to benefit the people of Scotland, then we’re still going to have to experience the sky high fuel prices and the levels of fuel poverty that are part and parcel of this energy market.”
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