Salmond challenges Brown on Glenrothes

Campaigning today (Saturday) on energy prices in Glenrothes, the SNP challenged Gordon Brown to come to the constituency himself to explain why fuel poor households are getting no direct help with rising energy costs this winter - instead of sending a proxy, as in the new Labour leader in Scotland.

SNP Candidate Cllr Peter Grant was joined by First Minister Alex Salmond and Cabinet Secretary for Health Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to meet young families concerned about soaring fuel costs.

Mr Salmond said:

"Instead of sending a proxy to Glenrothes, Gordon Brown should come here himself and explain why fuel poor families are getting no help with soaring energy costs.

"People in Glenrothes need help and support with soaring fuel bills this winter. This is a huge issue affecting households across the country - yet the totally inadequate nature of Gordon Brown's announcement last week is revealed by the fact that it involved no new government money.

"Fuel poverty in a land of energy plenty is the issue that will transcend this by-election - and it should be Gordon Brown coming to Glenrothes to explain that scandalous contradiction, not his proxy.

"Scotland is an energy rich nation, yet, despite record revenues from oil and gas just off the Fife coast, local families are being hit hard by soaring energy bills. While the Westminster Government and energy companies feel the benefit of an energy windfall, local familes only feel the pain.

"Success in the Glasgow East by-election forced Gordon Brown to freeze fuel duty, and SNP success in Glenrothes will force real action on energy costs."

Cllr Grant commented:

"Gordon Brown may think that helping people with their fuel bills this winter is a 'short-term gimmick', but local families struggling to make ends meet would like to give him a piece of their mind.

"In dismissing using the windfall gains of the energy supply companies to help people struggling with fuel bills, he has shown that he is out of touch with the needs of ordinary people in Fife.

"The pace of progress in Scotland is set by SNP success. SNP votes forced Gordon Brown to freeze fuel duty in the Glasgow East by-election, and dump his opposition to more financial powers for the Scottish Parliament.

"The Scottish Government is to be congratulated for the action it is taking to tackle fuel poverty. A record number of central heating installations last year, an agreement with the power companies to make sure Scotland gets every penny it is due to boost energy efficiency and cut bills, and plans to extend benefits health checks to all those applying to the Warm Deal programme are all signs of how seriously the  SNP administration takes its responsibilities.

"However, the Scottish Government's powers are limited - particularly in this vital area - and that means we need real action now from the UK government at this time of rising fuel prices.

"If elected to represent Glenrothes, eradicating fuel poverty once and for all in energy-rich Scotland will be a top priority."