THE SNP have slated the UK government for not providing enough support to non-urban homes, claiming it has “abandoned rural Scotland”.
Following Wednesday's announcement of the Tories' energy relief plan, which included an energy price cap for businesses, the SNP said the Tories' plans would do little to help Scottish rural homes which are off-grid.
Recent figures suggest around 129,000 off-grid homes in Scotland are dependent on heating oil - the price of which has shot up more than 230% in the last two years, from £0.31 a litre to £1.05.
The SNP say that £100 would buy less than 100 litres of heating oil for a Scottish rural home, enough for around two to three weeks of use.
And in light of this, SNP have slammed Tories for offering just £100 to households across the country who will not benefit from the energy price cap - which will now see home bills limited to £2500 from October.
Responding to the energy plan, SNP energy spokesperson Alan Brown said that Tories have “completely abandoned rural Scotland” throughout the cost-of-living crisis.
He added: “This latest snub is an insult to thousands of families in rural communities across the country - and it's another gaping hole in the UK government's botched energy plan.
“Just as we face the cold winter months, the Tory government is ignoring calls from the SNP and refusing to provide any meaningful support for rural families in Scotland.”
He went on to say that Scotland is an energy-rich country that has “more than enough potential to be self-sufficient”.
He continued: “While the Tories are focused on boosting bankers' bonuses, and giving billions in tax breaks to big businesses and the rich, they have forgotten about ordinary families.
"The UK government must U-turn immediately and finally give rural families the support they need. With every day they fail to act, they are demonstrating Scotland would be better off as an independent country with the full powers needed to secure our energy supply for all homes."
However, a price tag for the latest subsidy to firms has not yet been announced as it will depend on what happens to the wholesale market price between October and April.
The Treasury and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have been contacted for comment.
