Robert Leslie the SNP candidate in the General Election for Orkney and Shetland is calling for a Gas Equivalent Tariff for Orkney and Shetland households to reduce the impact of electricity prices that he says remain unsustainably high despite a slight drop in the price cap for July.
Speaking after Friday’s announcement, which still leaves electricity over four times more expensive than gas, Mr Leslie says calling time on the energy inequality faced by island residents is more urgent than ever.
Looking ahead to the next price cap change in October, the forecast is that electricity prices will remain around 60% higher than 2021 levels next winter. With no UK government support on the horizon this will leave householders worse off.
Island households relying on electric heating will pay up to £1000 more for around a third less energy than the average UK household, with most folk off the gas grid rationing electricity usage due to the eye-watering costs.
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Speaking after the price cap announcement, Mr Leslie said:
“It is a scandalous and indefensible situation for island residents that are surrounded by renewable energy resources that they are forced to pay higher prices for less energy than the households that have access to gas. The cost of a unit of electricity is still over four times the price of gas. The Tories ignored calls for a social tariff, but I will pursue the case for every island household to be classed as vulnerable, being off the gas grid, and so eligible for a social tariff that gives them parity with those who can access the cheaper fuel.
“The dire situation we are in, with a UK energy system that is no longer fit for purpose, means the case for Scotland to have control of its own energy and make the country’s energy resources work for householders and not shareholders is stronger than ever.”
Mr Leslie pointed to the fact that Orkney has the highest Fuel Poverty Gap in Scotland at £1640, followed closely by Shetland, meaning folk in both island groups would need significant income rises to take them out of fuel poverty.
“These income rises simply aren’t happening in an economy ravaged by Brexit and the economic chaos of the Tories. If I am elected to represent these islands on 4th July I will fight tooth and nail for energy fairness for folk in Orkney and Shetland.”
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