SNP leader John Swinney has proposed a “social tariff” that would see people on low incomes, the elderly and disabled pay less on energy bills. The first minister said the policy would give people “reassurance and peace of mind” about energy costs, which have soared in recent years.
The proposal would be funded by a mixture of general taxation and “top slicing” the profits of energy companies, with the party claiming the cost would be about £7.8bn for the current year. Mr Swinney claimed the bills could be cut in half for some people as a result.
He said: “I want to make sure that people on low incomes, people who are elderly and people with disabilities are essentially given a social tariff for their energy costs, which will give them the reassurance and peace of mind that their energy costs are going to be sustainable.
Mr Swinney added that fuel poverty had become “literally unbearable” for some, and that traditional rights, such as free healthcare and education, needed to be extended to “to reflect the realities of the modern world. The tariff would also cover broadband and mobile charges, in what Mr Swinney described as taking traditional left-of-centre politics and applying it to the modern world.
He said the moves would mean people were “liberated of the excessive burden and they’re able to access public services and their wider communication in society.”. When asked if he would consider the Liberal Democrat proposal to expand fuel duty relief to new areas, including parts of Scotland, the first minister said his key focus was on improving the cost of living, which the social tariff would play a part in.
Source: BBC
In other news – Ian McKellen in good spirits after falling off stage during performance
Sir Ian McKellen is in “good spirits” after falling off stage during a performance of Player Kings at the Noël Coward theatre in London. The actor, 85, cried out in pain, calling for help, and a staff member rushed on stage.
Sir Ian had been performing in a fight scene when he seemed to lose his footing. He was taken to hospital and the play was cancelled. Read more
