Hundreds of people sign Inverness Courier petition demanding UK government ends higher electricity charges imposed on households in the Highlands and Islands; End The Chill campaign highlighting fuel poverty crisis supported by MSPs and Highland councillors
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Hundreds of people have signed the Courier’s petition demanding the UK government ends the higher electricity charges imposed on all households in the Highlands and Islands.
It has been launched as part of our End The Chill campaign highlighting the region’s deepening fuel poverty crisis, which has attracted praise and support across the political spectrum.
Although the region is a powerhouse of renewable energy, households in the north of Scotland pay more because of outdated calculations.
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes has campaigned on the issue for many years.
"The Highlands is well known for its renewable energy potential, and so many Highlanders have worked in oil and gas over the decades," she said.
"Despite being a contributor to energy, it’s a scandal that Highlanders pay on average higher energy costs. We have some of the highest levels of fuel poverty.
"Whilst the Scottish Government has invested considerably in energy efficiency measures, for as long as households are paying more per unit of electricity, Highlanders are penalised.
"It has been discussed for too many years – it’s about time it was fixed once and for all."
Those signing the petition include Highlands and Islands Green MSP Ariane Burgess who said the region was leading the vanguard in the just transition to renewable energy.
"That’s why it seems perverse for us still to be paying charges which are a relic of the coal fired power era and hamper future renewable energy development," she said.
"Fuel poverty is one of the biggest problems my constituents are seeking help with, and I will do anything I can to help reduce the pressure on household budgets so people don’t have to make that awful choice between heating and eating."
Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said many could not access mains gas and housing quality was also poor.
"Add to that these unfair charges, it is no surprise that much of our population is in fuel poverty," she said.
"We need to stop these unfair charges and also retrofit houses to make them easier to heat."
Highland Council leader, Councillor Margaret Davidson, described the additional charges as "an affront" and said many dreaded the next electricity bills arriving in the New Year.
The council was doing its best with one-off payments of £180 available for those on council tax benefit and the Scottish government was helping, but power companies and UK government needed to step up too.
She and colleagues are now deciding the next moves.
"It will not be far from our minds as winter continues and we will be doing our level best to help – and well done the Courier for raising the profile of this critical issue," she said.
The petition can be found at www.change.org/unfair-charges
Courier launches petition demanding an end to unfair higher charges
