Stark difference between Keir Starmer’s warmth and the chill of Altnaharra
Holyrood Notebook by Maree Todd
Last week, Altnaharra in my constituency saw temperatures drop to -4°C, while this week, Holborn, in Keir Starmer’s constituency, is expected to reach highs of 17°C.
The difference in October weather between the Highlands and the south – where the purse strings are held – couldn’t be starker.
Yet, when it came to a vote in Holyrood last week where the SNP called on the UK government to reinstate the universal Winter Fuel Payment, which was backed by all other parties – Scottish Labour, with the exception of two of their MSPs – voted against the motion.
Shamefully, five Labour MSPs failed to vote, including Highlands and Islands MSP, Rhoda Grant. I’m certain Ms Grant’s inbox is much like mine, filled with messages from pensioners anxious about making ends meet this winter. Given the high levels of fuel poverty in the region she represents, her constituents deserve an explanation as to why she did not represent them in this vote.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar pledged during the election campaign that he would stand up to Keir Starmer for Scotland’s interests. However, last week’s vote demonstrated that Scottish Labour is willing to turn their backs on the people they represent to please their Westminster bosses.
• Read more from our columnists.
Whilst I’m still optimistic that the change in government in Westminster will mean an improved working relationship between the administrations, I was sorely disappointed by my first interaction.
I received a response from Michael Shanks, Energy Minister and a Scottish Labour MP, where he stated that the UK government, which has complete control over energy regulations, including pricing, did not have responsibility for the issue of fuel poverty in Scotland.
This could not be further from the truth; in fact, the UK government holds the regulatory powers that could eradicate fuel poverty in the Highlands.
Just last week Octopus Energy bosses said Scotland gets a “raw end of the deal” and could have the “cheapest electricity in Europe” if the government reformed the market and introduced zonal pricing.
Zonal pricing is a proposed market mechanism that would split the electricity market into multiple geographical zones, each with its own electricity price. The price in each zone would be influenced by local supply, demand, and the capacity of the existing grid.
The director of regulation at Octopus Energy said with zonal pricing: “Scottish consumers could be having multiple periods of the day and the year when energy prices are potentially negative, where you’re paid to use electricity or at least get it free.”
Only the UK government has the power to make this happen, so it’s astonishing to me that an Energy Minister would absolve himself of responsibility for tackling fuel poverty in Scotland.
While market reforms are important, I recognise that they do little to help those who are struggling right now. With Ofgem confirming last month that energy prices will increase by 10 per cent, adding £149 to the average household bill, combined with crucial financial support being withdrawn from pensioners, many of my constituents are understandably worried about how they will cope financially this winter.
To support those at risk of fuel poverty, I will be holding a series of fuel poverty surgeries in partnership with Home Energy Scotland, ALI Energy, and Citizens Advice Scotland. These sessions will provide advice on social security benefits and improving home energy efficiency.
A drop-in surgery will take place at the Pulteney Centre in Wick on Friday, October 25, from 11am to 1pm. Please drop by if you are in need of some support.
• Maree Toss is the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.