Scotland 'drifting' behind rest of UK on fuel poverty, says Labour MP
Gregor Poynton said the SNP’s decision to pause its Heat in Buildings bill was causing “damaging uncertainty” for firms north of the border which “are ready to invest in clean heating technology”.
The SNP delaying a key bill means Scotland is “drifting” behind the rest of the UK on tackling fuel poverty, a Labour MP has claimed.
Gregor Poynton said the SNP’s decision to pause its Heat in Buildings bill was causing “damaging uncertainty” for firms north of the Border which “are ready to invest in clean heating technology”.
The Scottish Government dropped the legislation for greener heating systems in homes and businesses for the second time in November.
The bill aimed to encourage people to move from gas boilers to heat pumps.
The UK Government set out its own Warm Homes Plan last month, which will provide £15 billion for solar, green tech and improving homes in a bid to cut energy bills.
Livingston MP Mr Poynton said: “This is yet another example of the SNP promising bold action but failing to deliver.
“Families across Scotland are struggling with energy bills. Businesses are ready to invest in clean heating technology. But instead of providing clarity and leadership, the Scottish Government has stalled.”
Mr Poynton said firms - including those on his patch - are unable to plan because the Scottish government pushed its bill back to after the election.
He said: “Mitsubishi in the Livingston constituency and other firms across the supply chain stand ready to help roll out modern heat pump technology and support Scotland’s transition.
“But companies cannot plan, hire, train and invest on the basis of political hesitation. The Scottish Government’s failure to bring forward legislation creates damaging uncertainty at precisely the wrong moment.”
He said Scotland risked falling behind the rest of the UK: “The contrast could not be clearer.
“The UK Labour Government is delivering a Warm Homes Plan to support families and drive forward energy efficiency. Meanwhile, the SNP Government cannot get its own flagship heating legislation over the line.
“Scotland should be leading the way on warm homes and clean heat. Instead, we have drift and delay.”
Read more: Scots Labour MP urges UK Government to 'move as fast as possible' in increasing defence spending
Mr Poynton has written to the SNP Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan asking when legislation will now be introduced.
He said in his letter: “The SNP Scottish Government appears unable to bring forward workable legislation in an area it has long claimed as a priority. Scotland cannot afford continued drift.
“Families cannot heat their homes with press releases, and businesses cannot invest on the basis of vague future intentions.”
He continued: “How will you ensure that Scotland does not fall behind the rest of the UK in tackling fuel poverty and upgrading homes?”
In November Ms McAllan told Holyrood the Government is not able to bring forward legislation ahead of next May’s Scottish election.
Instead, she published a draft Bill – pledging it will be implemented early in the next Scottish Parliament term if the SNP is back in power.
Ms McAllan blamed Westminster, insisting she needed “clarity” from the UK Government on action it is taking on domestic heating.
But opposition MSPs accused her of making a “humiliating climbdown”.
The Greens - who had pushed for the bill when they were in government - branded the Housing Secretary’s statement a “sick joke”.
SNP Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said:
“The short delay to our planned introduction of a Heat in Buildings Bill was due in large part to the UK Government’s long delay in publishing its Warm Homes Plan. This long-awaited Plan then failed to include the promised, enduring solution to reduce the cost of electricity and make clean heating systems more affordable.
“This action, which only the UK Government can take, is essential to tackle fuel poverty and ensure our transition to net zero is fair and affordable. The Warm Homes Plan has missed the opportunity to address this issue and provides no long-term certainty whatsoever.
“Where the Warm Homes Plan does represent progress is in committing to action the Scottish Government has already implemented. It proposes a Future Homes Standard which emulates the New Build Heat Standard which has been operational in Scotland since April 2024 – and also sets a target to meet heat demand from heat networks, although this is less ambitious than the legally binding target already in place in Scotland.
“We will continue to press the UK Government for urgent action on the cost of electricity. Meanwhile, the Scottish Government is continuing to engage constructively with partners to ensure our Bill represents the strongest and fairest possible package.”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.