If we needed another reason for Scotland to have all the powers of a normal, independent country it came on Friday as the latest change in the UK energy price cap was announced, covering three months from 1st July – so just before the General Election date.
Although prices will come down slightly this time, the forecast for the coming winter is for another rise, with electricity prices likely to remain some 60% higher than in 2021 before the massive price spikes that have seen folk ration their usage significantly.
Fuel poverty rates have remained high across Scotland, but especially in areas such as Orkney, where longer winters, wetter and windier conditions and older housing stock make it more difficult to keep the increasingly expensive heat in.
But it doesn’t have to be like this for energy-rich Scotland.
The UK’s energy prices are among the highest in the world right now, around three times the price of the United States for example.
And within the UK those households off the mains gas grid – everybody in Orkney – are likely to spend up to £1000 more for their energy this coming winter than average households, while using around a third less energy than those houses that have access to gas.
This is because electricity is currently over four times the price of gas per unit and including standing charges. It means households on electricity only are rationing their energy usage more than anyone else.
For households in Orkney this has become a glaring inequity as generation of clean, green electricity far outstrips demand.
That is why the SNP is calling at this election for a social tariff for electricity, and for all households off the gas grid to be categorised as vulnerable so that they would qualify for price parity with folk who heat their homes with the much cheaper mains gas.
The Tories at Westminster dragged their heals on this during the parliament that is now coming to an end, but the SNP will renew calls for the introduction in the next term to ensure that the existing energy inequity is removed.
Of course the whole UK energy market is ripe for overhaul, and in an independent Scotland energy would be in the people of Scotland’s hands, making it work for householders, not shareholders.
Another cause that I am delighted to see the SNP backing is for the recognition of Palestine as a state. I am always heartened to see the Orkney News coverage of the vigils at St Magnus Cathedral each Saturday. The great turnouts show there is great strength of feeling and empathy in Orkney.
The people of Palestine have suffered enough. Each of us has a duty to do whatever we can to bring about a fair and lasting peace.
John Swinney has written to Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer urging them to join him and other EU nations in recognising Palestine as a state in its own right.
That is the kind of leadership that Scotland needs.
This is a regular column by SNP MSP Emma Roddick. All Highlands and Islands MSPs have been offered the same space in The Orkney News to share their personal views.
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