The SNP leader, John Swinney said that Scotland is an energy superpower – but claims that Westminster is holding the country back.
He said that Scotland is not in control of its own resources, and highlights the consequences of that.
On Monday Mr Swinney is visiting Eastwood where there is a renewable energy project, and will explain that Scotland creates more energy than it needs. But he will also say that the cost of energy for the consumer is higher than it should be as a result of UK Government decisions.
Mr Swinney said: “Scotland is an energy superpower. Whether through the North Sea or our extraordinary clean, renewable energy resources, we produce more energy than we need. Yet we pay higher bills than we should thanks to decisions taken in Westminster.
“It is frankly outrageous that Scotland is one of the most energy-rich countries in the world and yet we pay some of the highest energy prices.
“People are struggling to heat their homes and facing soaring costs at the petrol pumps in a nation with abundant resources. That demonstrates just how badly Westminster has failed.
“This has never been clearer than during the current energy crisis – people in Scotland are looking for help with sky-high bills and petrol prices, and the UK Labour Government is standing by and doing nothing. This is a Labour Prime Minister that has utterly failed in his responsibilities during a time of national crisis.
“So let me be clear – if Westminster will not act to bring bills down, they should get out of the road and hand the powers to an SNP Government that will.
“For decades, the wealth from Scotland’s energy has flowed to the Treasury and been squandered by the UK Government – we cannot afford to let them do the same to our vast renewable energy wealth.
“Scotland’s energy must work for Scotland’s people – and when Westminster takes the decisions, Westminster takes the wealth.
“With the fresh start of independence putting control over Scotland’s energy in Scotland’s hands, we can make our energy wealth work for Scotland – and bring down bills.
“That is what the SNP is offering on May 7th and that is what I am determined to deliver.”
