It’s no secret that household bills are on the rise across the country – and South Ayrshire is no different.

Households in South Ayrshire are paying on average £1,684 per year, making it the 78th most expensive place in the UK for energy bills.

Overall Scottish homes are paying more compared to those is England and Wales.

According to the data collected by price comparison website comparethemarket.com, households is South Ayrshire are already paying on average 24.2% more than the price cap that is planned to be introduced in October of this year.

Commenting on the sky-high energy costs SNP MP Allan Dorrans said: “People across Scotland, including in South Ayrshire are paying the price for sky high energy bills, despite Scotland having an abundance of resources in oil and gas and renewables.

“Under Westminster control, the vast revenue from Scotland’s oil and gas industry has been squandered by UK governments for decades and now it is consumers in South Ayrshire who are getting hammered with higher average energy bills, with bills here being the 78th most expensive in Great Britain.

“This is also a result of the outrageous and expensive transmission charges that are charged in Scotland for companies to access the national grid here.

“The measures announced by the Chancellor last month will barely scratch the surface of the rocketing energy bills crippling households now and in the winter months to come.

“High fuel bills in South Ayrshire and across Scotland lies squarely at the door of the Westminster government and shows why Scotland needs the full range of powers that will come with independence.”