The Scottish National Party manifesto includes a promise that their MPs will call for a statutory social tariff for energy (and other utilities). This focus on social tariffs in public debate is welcome, but it needs to form part of a wider package of reforms.
Help with energy bills, which are likely to remain high into the next decade, and addressing the persistent challenge of fuel poverty needs to be coupled with action on energy efficiency, income support and energy market reform.
Politicians should also consider who pays for these interventions, as well as how and when they do so. This is important to ensure that the burden of costs does not fall on those least able to pay, including within (and on the margins of) the community not eligible for any social tariff.
