Meeting of the Parliament 23 April 2014
Fuel poverty impacts to some extent on every household in Scotland. We have already heard that figures suggest that up to 40 per cent of Scotland’s homes are now technically defined as being in fuel poverty. Fuel bills are becoming a larger monthly expense for many more households and are having a bigger impact on the way in which household budgets have to be managed. Therefore, there are many people out there whom we should be concerned about.
When we take part in a debate on fuel poverty, it is irresponsible of us to allow any political party to claim the high ground. The fact is that it has become a priority for us to deal with fuel poverty. People who are suffering from fuel poverty expect politicians to work together more closely to achieve that objective. I will try to work more closely with others in the Parliament but, unfortunately, I will also indulge in the practice of blaming other people for some of the mistakes that got us to where we are today. I will do so because of the great irony that, while it was in government for 13 years, the Labour Party did a great deal to achieve the things that it is complaining about today.