Nicola Sturgeon to meet energy bosses ahead of expected price cap rise

Nicola Sturgeon is to meet with energy suppliers to discuss what more can be done to help those struggling with rising bills.

A roundtable summit will take place later this month, with the First Minister calling for the energy price cap rise to be cancelled.

The cap is predicted to rise to just over £3,500 from October, 82% above the current cap.

At the start of next year, the cap is forecast to increase again, rising to as much as £4,200.

A roundtable summit was held by Boris Johnson with energy sector representatives in Downing Street last week.

However, No 10 has ruled out any further fiscal measures to tackle the crisis until a new leader of the Conservative Party is named on September 5.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for the price cap to be frozen in autumn and has vowed that his party “wouldn’t let people pay a penny more” on their gas and electricity bills this winter.

At the summit due to be hosted by Scotland’s First Minister, suppliers including Scottish Power, OVO Energy, Centrica, Octopus and E.ON, as well as industry bodies and key consumer and poverty organisations will attend.

It will consider what action can be taken by government, energy companies and the third sector to help businesses and consumers to access advice, and to get support with debt issues.

“I know that this is an incredibly unsettling time for households and energy consumers across Scotland and the Scottish Government will continue to do everything we can to support those affected,” said Sturgeon.

“There is a not a single solution to this problem and government, industry and the third sector in Scotland needs to work collaboratively together to ensure the right support is in place for householders and businesses during this challenging winter.

“This could include improving the availability of help and advice and considering a more compassionate approach to debt management.

“However, it remains the case that the powers and resources needed to tackle this emergency on the scale required – access to borrowing, welfare, VAT on fuel, taxation of windfall profits, regulation of the energy market – lie with the UK Government.”

The First Minister added: “Only the UK Government can access and make available resources on the scale required. They need to take action, now.

“As I said last week, a first step would be to cancel the energy price cap rise this autumn.”