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”.

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.”

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”.

The Scottish Government was approached for comment.