Scotland needs fair share of Brown's fuel package

10.29.22am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 15th Sep 2008

Tavish Scott, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland has demanded the First Minister pick up the phone to fight for Scotland’s fair share of the Prime Minister’s £910 million package to help people cope with soaring fuel prices.

The First Minister has suggested that Barnett consequentials may not apply to this funding boost. This means that Scotland would be ineligible for a share of this money.

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

“Scotland needs a fair share of this new money. Fuel poverty is a bigger problem here than anywhere.

“This winter people will face the real choice of ‘boiler on or boiler off’.

“People want governments to deliver not bicker. The First Minister needs to get on the phone this afternoon to the UK Government and the energy companies. He needs to get Scottish bills cut.

“Labour will be judged very harshly if they wash their hands of Scots' suffering this winter.”