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Scots are paying an "unacceptable price for the failure of Westminster," the SNP Westminster leader said amid the UK government's decision to freeze energy price guarantees. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt presented his budget on Wednesday in which he said annual energy bills would be capped at an average of £2,500. However, the £400 energy bill support scheme will be removed.
Following the budget, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) analysis estimated that typical household energy costs would remain above £2,000 until at least winter 2024/25.
Stephen Flynn has said that Scottish families will have to pay more than double their energy costs in 2021, when the maximum price was £1,138.
The OBR forecast also warned that real disposable household income (PHDI) in the UK will fall by 6% between 2022/23 and 2023/24.
The SNP leader in Westminster has now urged the Chancellor to reduce the energy price guarantee.
Flynn said: "Scotland is a rich country, rich in energy, but families are paying an unacceptable price for the failure of Westminster, with sky-high energy bills lasting for years under Westminster's control."
It's not too late for the UK government to turn around and cut bills.
“The SNP has urged the Chancellor to save households £1,400 by slashing energy bills, but the Conservative government has chosen to scrap the £400 energy rebate and keep bills skyrocketing, leaving families in a worse situation.
The Aberdeen South MP also took aim at Labour, who said they had given "full support" to an energy cost freeze.
He added: 'It is not too late for the UK government to turn around and cut bills.
“At a time when energy companies are making record profits and the wholesale price of gas is falling, it is inexcusable that Westminster is forcing Scottish families to pay through their noses.
"Scots shouldn't foot the bill for Westminster's mistakes."
A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said "scaremongering will not take away from the fact that taxpayers in Scotland are receiving unprecedented support from the UK government."
“We will continue to support households even as warmer weather arrives,” the spokesperson said.
“As announced in the spring budget, the energy price guarantee will remain at £2,500 until the end of June 2023, including in Scotland.
“This means that the government covers around half of a typical home's energy bills.
"The exact savings for the consumer will depend on how much energy you use."
PA wire
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