FMQs: SNP hiking living costs by shredding clean heating bill and tenants rights
The SNP’s retreat from the vital Heat in Buildings Bill and tenant protections will mean higher costs for people and families across Scotland, says Scottish Green Co-leader Patrick Harvie.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Mr Harvie said:
“After months of uncertainty, the Scottish Government has finally confirmed that it is now dropping the plan to help people switch to clean, affordable heating.
“Just as bills are about to rise again, the First Minister wants to keep people hooked on expensive, polluting fossil fuels even longer.
“Scotland has already lost out on manufacturing jobs building heat pumps. This is an industry that wants to grow, to take on more people and invest for the future.
“People need help to make this change, and the industry needs clarity to invest to make it happen.
“Both are urgently needed if we’re to catch up with missed climate targets, cut people’s bills and create green jobs.
“As the SNP slows down on climate action, why does the First Minister think any clean heat business would bother investing in Scotland now?”
In his answer the First Minister did not commit to a new timetable for the watered down Bill.
In his second question to the First Minister, Mr Harvie urged him to extend rent protections that were put in place when the Greens were in government and that are set to expire on April 1st.
Mr Harvie said:
“The First Minister knows that the Green plan was always for financial support for households, and clear regulations - both are essential. But now we know the Government isn’t going to do either.
“If people get the help they need to make the change, they can save as much as half their heating bills - something most people would jump at.
“But at the same time, the First Minister is also hammering everyone who rents from a private landlord.
“From the 1st of April, energy bills will rise again, the First Minister is about to permit uncontrolled rent increases on top of that.
“And he’s proposing new rules making sure that even the highest rents will keep on rising faster than inflation.
“People can’t cope with today’s bills. Many won’t cope with the benefit cuts that Labour has in store for them. Isn’t it becoming clear that they also can’t rely on the Scottish Government to protect them from energy bills and rent hikes?”