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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Adam Robertson

Nicola Sturgeon to chair energy summit for second time in two months

FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon is set to chair a second summit with the energy industry in less than two months on Thursday. 

It comes as new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced on Monday that the energy price guarantee will only last for six months.

A more targeted approach will come into force next year. 

Sturgeon’s August meeting included charities, energy suppliers such as Scottish Power, E.ON and OVO Energy, and also the Poverty Alliance and Energy Action Scotland. 

In a statement released on Wednesday, a Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government is working hard within its limited powers and finite budget to support people, businesses, public services and the economy.

“The First Minister will host a second summit with energy companies and advice organisations to discuss progress and identify any further action we can take to support households and businesses with the energy cost crisis.”

Campaigners have worried that changes to the Energy Price Guarantee could leave households facing a “cliff edge” in their energy bills after April. 

Addressing the nation on Monday as he ditched most of the Prime Minister’s fiscal policy, Hunt said: “This is a landmark policy supporting millions of people through a difficult winter and today I want to confirm that the support we are providing between now and April next year will not change.

“But beyond that, the Prime Minister and I have agreed it would not be responsible to continue exposing public finances to unlimited volatility in international gas prices.”

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