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Scots are paying an “unacceptable price for Westminster failure”, the SNP Westminster leader has said amid the UK Government’s decision to freeze the energy price guarantee.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered his budget on Wednesday where he set out that annual energy bills would be capped at an average of £2,500.
The £400 energy bill support scheme, however, is to be scrapped.
Following the budget, analysis from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimated that typical household energy costs would remain in excess of £2,000 until at least winter 2024/25.
Stephen Flynn has said Scottish families will be left to pay more than double their energy fees in 2021, when the price cap was £1,138.
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The OBR forecast also warned real household disposable income (PHDI) in the UK is expected to fall by 6% between 2022/23 and 2023/24.
The SNP leader in Westminster has now urged the Chancellor to cut the energy price guarantee.
Mr Flynn said: “Scotland is a wealthy, energy-rich country but families are paying an unacceptable price for Westminster failure – with sky-high energy bills set to last for years under Westminster control.
It’s not too late for the UK Government to U-turn and slash bills
Stephen Flynn
“The SNP has urged the Chancellor to save households £1,400 by slashing energy bills but instead the Tory government has chosen to scrap the £400 energy rebate and keep bills at extortionate levels – leaving families hundreds of pounds worse off.”
The Aberdeen South MP also took aim at the Labour Party, which he said gave its “full support” to the energy cost freeze.
He added: “It’s not too late for the UK Government to U-turn and slash bills.
“At a time when energy companies are making record profits, and the wholesale price of gas is falling, it’s inexcusable that Westminster is forcing Scottish families to pay through the nose.
“People in Scotland shouldn’t be footing the bill for Westminster’s mistakes.”
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said that “scaremongering will not take away from the fact that billpayers in Scotland are receiving unprecedented support from the UK government”.
“We’ll continue to support households even as the milder weather kicks in,” the spokesman 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.
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“This means the government is covering around half of the typical household’s energy bills.
“The exact saving to the consumer will depend on how much energy they use.”
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