Forbes: High bills in Highlands and islands the ‘greatest injustice of our day’

High bills in the Highlands and islands is the “greatest injustice of our day”, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has said.

Speaking on the Holyrood Sources podcast during an event in Shetland, Ms Forbes said she hopes to see reform of the energy sector to bring down bills.

The Highlands and islands report some of the highest energy bills in the country due to a number of issues and a disproportionate rate of fuel poverty, despite being geographically close to the source of much of the UK’s energy production.

“I would go so far as to say that this is the greatest injustice for our islands, and indeed for the Highlands, but it is the greatest injustice of our day,” she said.

“It is an absolute shocker and will be for generations to come, that our islands are responsible for generating such a wealth of power that actually keeps the lights on across this country and may, at some point, keep the lights on beyond this country, and yet we have pensioners and others in fuel poverty.”

The Deputy First Minister pointed to comments from Octopus Energy chief executive Greg Jackson, who said Scots could enjoy the “cheapest electricity in Europe” if a system of regional pricing was put in place.

Ms Forbes added: “My big hope, which I suspect may be disappointed, is that Labour tackles this head on. That really gets to grip with it.

“GB Energy has its place, right? It’ll do what it needs to do, but it’s not about tackling that injustice.

“What we need is a big vision from the UK Government, which the Scottish Government is willing to support for complete reform, that says ‘this is Scotland’s energy and we will not tolerate anyone in fuel poverty that lives within a metre or a mile of these turbines’.”

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: “In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee our energy security and protect consumers from future energy price shocks is by moving towards homegrown power.

“We are reviewing responses to the consultation on reforming electricity markets and will ensure that any reform options taken forward focus on protecting billpayers.

“We are also considering ways to make sure communities who live near new clean energy infrastructure see the benefits of this.”