Question reference: S6W-09239
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 23 June 2022
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 13 July 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, as part of its action to support households in Scotland impacted by increasing energy costs, what discussions it has had with energy companies and the UK Government regarding setting specific timeframes for reimbursing customers who have been overcharged.
Answer
Everyone needs a safe, warm place to call home, but I know that news of energy price rises will cause many people to worry about their fuel bills. My foremost concern is for households who are affected by these price rises, particularly those who are in or at risk of fuel poverty.
I also know that many energy consumers have seen their direct debit payments increase during this time, some to an excessive degree based on their usage. Unfortunately, regulation in the gas and electricity supply markets remains reserved to the UK Government meaning the Scottish Government’s potential actions are limited.
Within this context we have remained in contact with the UK Government and the energy regulator, Ofgem to raise the concerns of Scottish consumers in light of the large scale changes we are seeing in the energy market.