WEIR BACKS ENERGY ACTION CALLS ON FUEL POVERTY

 

SNP Energy Spokesperson at Westminster, Mike Weir MP, has today (Monday) backed calls by charity Energy Action Scotland, in calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to use the extra VAT revenue generated by energy prices to boost funding for programmes aimed at ending fuel poverty.

 

Mr Weir, who is a long term campaigner on fuel poverty issues, said:

 

“In the face of mounting bills and plummeting temperatures the Chancellor has done nothing to end fuel poverty, despite the fact that every energy price hike brings a rise in the amount of VAT flowing to the treasury.

 

“It’s nothing short of a scandal that, in an energy rich country like Scotland, almost one in three households are in fuel poverty.

 

“The additional tax revenue that the Chancellor is receiving could provide help for vulnerable households now, and its high time the Chancellor took action to end this shameful state of affairs.”