Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has initiated and distributed a survey to around 13,000 households in his constituency to canvas their views on the unfair 2p electricity surcharge currently applied to residents in the Highlands and Islands and whether they think electricity production and supply should be brought back into public ownership.

Commenting on this, Mr Thompson said, “Those living in the Highlands and Islands are forced to pay more for their energy, despite much of the electricity being produced in the Highlands and Islands. This is grossly prejudicial, given the UK Government operates a single electricity market via the national grid. Therefore, it is not unreasonable that everyone should pay the same for their electricity”.

“The survey asks a number of questions, including whether or not residents think the 2p electricity surcharge charge is fair, whether they think everyone in the UK should pay the same rate, whether electricity companies should have social responsibility and whether or not electricity production and supply should be brought back into public ownership”.

“I urge my constituents to look out for the survey arriving soon in the post, but unfortunately due to budgetary constraints, not everyone in the constituency will receive a copy. The 13,000 households have been selected at random”.

Dave went on, “The UK Government through the Ofgem energy regulator has decided to charge Highlanders more for their electricity, despite so much electricity coming from the north”.

“I raised the matter of unjustifiably high fuel costs in the energy laden north, in the Parliament back in May 2013 when I used a Parliament debate to express my concern to the Scottish Government and to find out just what they are able to do to pressurise the UK Government to do more”.

Dave concluded, “As this is such an important issue, I hope those that receive the survey are able to respond, and in doing so, it will help me frame how best to take forward the campaign for fair energy pricing in the Highlands and Islands”.

“I look forward to the survey responses being received”.

Note:

Letter and accompanying survey sent to around 13,000 constituents noted below:

December 2014

Dear Constituent

Electricity Prices - Survey

As you may know, in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, people pay more for their electricity. We currently pay a 2p surcharge per unit of electricity because of our apparent remoteness, despite the fact that much electricity is produced here.

The UK Government operates a single electricity market, through a national grid and, therefore, I believe that everyone should pay the same for their electricity, no matter where they live in the UK.

The UK Government has laid down rules, enforced by the regulator, OFGEM, which leads to these higher charges and I want to get the UK Government to change these rules.

I shall, therefore, be obliged if you will answer the questions overleaf and return this survey in the enclosed envelope, to which you will need to attach a stamp and return it to me by Friday 16th January 2015.

I wanted to reach as many people as possible with this survey but unfortunately, due to budget constraints I can only reach around 13,000 households (out of 40,000) and am unable to provide a freepost envelope.

I look forward to hearing your views on this important issue.

Yours sincerely

Dave Thompson

MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (SNP)

Survey Below:

1. Do you think that the 2p electricity surcharge paid by residents of the Highlands and Islands is a fair extra charge?

Yes

No

Don’t Know

2. Given that the UK Government operates a single electricity market across the UK, do you think that everyone in the UK should pay the same price for a unit of electricity?

Yes

No

Don’t Know

3. For many years the publicly owned Hydro Board supplied our electricity. Do you think that electricity production and supply should be brought back into public ownership in Scotland?

Yes

No

Don’t Know

4. If electricity production and supply remain with the private sector, do you think that the electricity companies should have a strong social responsibility role to ensure fairness to all electricity consumers?

Yes

No

Don’t Know

5. Do you have any other comments?

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