BY DARREN GIBSON

Reporter

A NORTH Ayrshire MSP has demanded the protection of households as energy bills get set to rise.

The comments come as North Ayrshire Foodbank warned that the level of need for emergency food hasn’t reduced since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Katy Clark, Labour MSP for West Scotland, has called on the UK Government roll out an emergency package to protect households after Ofgem announced a record 54 per cent rise to the energy price cap.

Over 22 million people are set to be affected from April, with the cap rising from £708 to £2,107 due to a record rise in gas prices.

The average customer on a default tariff will pay nearly £700 more per year as the cap means companies can pass costs to customers, including increases to the cost of gas.

It is reported that the rise will push a quarter of UK households into fuel poverty.

The hike comes after oil giant Shell announced enormous profits of £14.2 billion, four times the level recorded earlier this year.

Katy, who represents West Scotland for Scottish Labour, said families across the region would be affected without urgent intervention from the Tory government.

Katy commented: “This cap rise is a political decision, not a force of nature. Ordinary families did not cause this crisis, but it seems they are expected to pay for it.

“Thousands of people in West Scotland will be pushed into poverty because of this hike. This is not just an energy crisis – it is a social justice emergency. “

The MSP continued: “The Chancellor Rishi Sunak can’t just tinker around the edges with short term loans or limited tax rebates. It is the failed free market model that is to blame.

“The Government must use a windfall lax on energy giants’ super-profits to pay for lower domestic gas bills and bring failed suppliers into public ownership.”

Finance Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Thursday that all residential electricity customers would receive a £200 discount on their electricity bills from October, which will later be repaid in £40 instalments over five years.

Mr Sunak said: “Right now, I know the number one issue on people’s minds is the rising cost of living.

“That’s why the Government is stepping in with direct support that will help around 28 million households with their rising energy costs over the next year.”

“We stood behind British people and businesses throughout the pandemic and it’s right we continue to do that as our economy recovers in the months ahead.”