West Lothian politicians have been telling the Courier how they think new think of new Prime Minister Liz Truss can help local people cope with soaring bills ahead of her announcement this morning.
Miss Truss is expected to unveil her plans to limit rises, with reports she intends to freeze the prize cap at around £2,500.
But this is still around £500 more than people are paying now and relies heavily on Government borrowing.
We asked West Lothian’s SNP MPs and MSPs what they think needs to be done to help people in West Lothian.
Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, said: “She must now freeze energy bills for people and businesses, increase funding for public services and of course deliver more cash support. “It’s going to be a very long depressing winter for many of my constituents and they deserve better. We need another referendum. We need out of the union. We need independence.”
Livingston MP Hannah Bardell added: “The new Prime Minister must announce an immediate freeze on energy bills as her very first act as Prime Minister and this must be swiftly followed by urgent reform of the energy industry.
“I’ve met with businesses and constituents this week who face destitution and the collapse of their business if urgent action is not taken.
“Households and businesses must not be charged for the energy bill freeze because energy companies are estimated to make more than a £170Bn in excess profits over the next two years - while National Energy Action predicts that the increase in energy costs will push one in three households into fuel poverty.”
Linlithgow MSP Fiona Hyslop said: “I know many of my constituents will be looking to the UK Government and the new Prime Minister to offer substantial support to local communities and families ahead of the planned price hike in October.
“Despite my concerns around the Prime Minister’s previous environment and energy policies, she has the opportunity now to act where her predecessor did not and implement a pandemic style package of support to make sure that our businesses and communities can survive this crisis. If she refuses, then the Scottish Government must be given the financial powers to do so.”
And Linlithgow MP Martyn Day added: "The big issue remains the ever-increasing energy price rises, spiralling inflation and a complete lack of action to-date from the UK Government which has responsibility for energy policy in Scotland.
“All of which highlights why we need independence so that we can take real-time decisions in our own interests as and when required. Only with the full powers of independence can we secure Scotland’s energy needs and deliver a fairer and more prosperous future.”
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