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Argyll backs energy price campaign

Councillor Robin Currie
Councillor Robin Currie

Argyll and Bute has thrown its weight behind a challenge to all election candidates in the north to back the Press and Journal’s campaign for a fair deal on energy prices.

Two dozen groups have joined forces to pile the pressure on the area’s prospective MPs to strongly support efforts to scrap the “scandalous” surcharge on bills.

In their publication, Affordable Warmth Manifesto for the Highlands and Islands, they call on parties to sign a pledge to work together to end the surcharges in the north of Scotland where residents pay a surcharge of 2p a unit for electricity.

Councillor Robin Currie told a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council yesterday: “This is a very worthwhile campaign which is being supported by all the councils except ourselves. Hopefully after today we will be backing it too.

“We recently carried out a study on the islands and the amount of fuel poverty in Argyll and Bute is absolutely huge.

“Taking the 2p surcharge off customers in the Highlands and islands would make a huge difference. I ask you to back this campaign.”

Councillor Currie had lodged an urgent motion, calling on the council to back the campaign. His motion was seconded by Councillor Richard Trail, who said: “I think it is a scandal that Scotland, an energy rich nation, has so many people in fuel poverty. I hope the council will support this campaign.”

The motion was carried unanimously.

The organisers of the Affordable Warmth Manifesto say they have the backing of every housing association in the region, five local branches of Citizens Advice, as well as the Western Isles Poverty Action Group, the Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust, the Highland Housing Alliance, Rural and Islands Housing Associations Forum, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Highland Council and Western Isles council.

In October, The Press and Journal began highlighting the regional transmission charging system which leaves families in northern Scotland paying the highest bills in the country.

Since then, regulators have launched a review of the practice, and the UK Government has said it will move to peg prices in the area to the next highest region, cutting about £30 a year from bills.

But campaigners want ministers to go further and completely abolish region differences.