Independence is the only route to cheaper energy bills for island households, Alasdair Allan MSP has said, as average bills set to rise again to £1,755 from October under Labour.

Despite the Labour Party’s promise to cut bills by £300 ahead of last year’s general election, this new price cap rise will mean average bills will actually have risen by £187 since Sir Keir Starmer came to power.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:

"What purpose does the UK Government’s energy price cap serve if they keep letting it rise? After years of watching energy bills soar under the Tories, Labour promised to cut energy bills by £300. Yet here we are, with bills now £187 higher than when the Labour Party came to office. 

"Scotland produces six times more gas than we use and two-thirds of our electricity demand is met from renewables, yet we continue to pay some of the highest bills in the world.

“Westminster's failed energy policies are continuing to cost people across the Western Isles dearly. We have the worst levels of fuel poverty in the country, but are forgotten about when decisions are being taken in London about UK energy policy. As we saw with the recent ruling out of zonal pricing, which would have cut our bills locally, the UK parties will never prioritise Scotland’s rural and island areas.

“It’s not right that in such an energy rich country, Scots should be struggling with rising energy bills. We should have the power to control our own energy policy – to make the current outdated and unfiar system actually work for our households. The only route to cheaper bills is through independence - with Scotland’s energy in Scotland’s hands.”