11 September 2006
The Scottish National Party (SNP) energy spokesman, Mike Weir, has called on the government to tackle the growing issue of fuel poverty.
Speaking in the wake of last week's npower energy rises, Mr Weir said that despite many Scottish households experiencing substantial rises, the government is still set to benefit from £1 billion in taxation from domestic energy bills.
He said: "An increasing number of households in Scotland worry about how they are going to afford their winter fuel bills yet Mr Brown is raking in a massive amount in extra taxation. It is high time that the government used some of this windfall for a real attack on fuel poverty.
"Is it any coincidence that the government are only prepared to look at help next year, when all the analysts tell us that wholesale gas prices are due to fall? Will we be told next year that the help is not needed as costs are falling?
"This is cynicism on a massive scale. Vulnerable households need help now and the additional tax revenue that Brown is receiving could provide that help now."
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