Fifers call for action on fuel bills

The SNP campaign in Glenrothes hit the streets today (Saturday) as SNP
candidate Cllr Peter Grant launched a petition demanding action on
energy costs for hard-pressed Scottish families and pensioners. Cllr
Grant was joined by SNP Westminster Treasury spokesperson, Stewart
Hosie MP, and Minister for Parliament, Bruce Crawford MSP, to launch
the petition.

Energy costs are a defining issue of the local campaign, and the
petition calls on the UK Government to use the windfall from
Scotland's oil and gas revenues to reduce energy bills for families
and pensioners.

Cllr Grant said:

"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 London Government and energy
companies feel the benefit of an energy windfall, local familes only
feel the pain.

"Warm words from Gordon Brown won't heat homes this winter.  People
need action to bring down bills now.

"This is a huge issue affecting households across the country - yet
the totally inadequate response from the London Government has been
cold comfort for people in Fife.

"Unlike Labour, I don't need a focus group to tell me what issues
matter to people in this community.

"Gordon Brown should spend less time listening to expensive
consultants, and more time listening to what people in the street have
to say.

"The clear message from Glenrothes is that local people need help and
support with soaring fuel bills this winter.

"Fuel poverty in a land of energy plenty is the issue that will
transcend this by-election - and Gordon Brown must come to Glenrothes
to explain that scandalous contradiction.

"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."

SNP Westminster Treasury spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, said:

"The clear message from local residents is that action on energy
prices is their priority.

"In dismissing the use of windfall gains of the energy supply
companies to help people struggling with fuel bills, Gordon Brown 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, Peter Grant will be able to hand
deliver a message to the London Government saying enough is enough on
fuel poverty amid energy pleanty."

The terms of the petition state:

Petition to reduce energy bills:

Scotland is an energy rich nation. Revenues from Scotland's oil and
gas are soaring and energy companies are making sky high profits. It's
time to reduce energy bills with these windfall profits shared with
families and pensioners. We, the undersigned, call on the London
Government to act on rising energy prices. It's time to cut fuel
bills.