This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7601922.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Heat on Brown over cost of energy | Heat on Brown over cost of energy |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The prime minister has been accused of letting Scottish households "plunge into fuel poverty" by not acting to address rising energy prices. | The prime minister has been accused of letting Scottish households "plunge into fuel poverty" by not acting to address rising energy prices. |
| It comes after Gordon Brown told business leaders in Glasgow he had decided a one-off cash rebate would only be a gimmick. | It comes after Gordon Brown told business leaders in Glasgow he had decided a one-off cash rebate would only be a gimmick. |
| First Minister Alex Salmond said the windfall gains of energy giants should be used to help people with bills. | First Minister Alex Salmond said the windfall gains of energy giants should be used to help people with bills. |
| Mr Brown has indicated the focus should be on improving energy efficiency. | Mr Brown has indicated the focus should be on improving energy efficiency. |
| Mr Salmond said this showed the prime minister was out of touch with real people. | Mr Salmond said this showed the prime minister was out of touch with real people. |
| We can't have a situation of Scotland being a country of fuel poverty amid so much energy plenty Alex SalmondFirst Minister He said: "Gordon Brown may think that helping people with their fuel bills this winter is a 'short-term gimmick'. | We can't have a situation of Scotland being a country of fuel poverty amid so much energy plenty Alex SalmondFirst Minister He said: "Gordon Brown may think that helping people with their fuel bills this winter is a 'short-term gimmick'. |
| "The reality is that it is a pressing need for households which have been plunged into fuel poverty by soaring energy prices." | "The reality is that it is a pressing need for households which have been plunged into fuel poverty by soaring energy prices." |
| Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr Salmond added: "I'm in favour of the energy efficiency schemes, we'll participate in that - lets have a lot more of them - but let's also have action to contain these rising costs over this coming winter for both families and businesses. | Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr Salmond added: "I'm in favour of the energy efficiency schemes, we'll participate in that - lets have a lot more of them - but let's also have action to contain these rising costs over this coming winter for both families and businesses. |
| "We can't have a situation of Scotland being a country of fuel poverty amid so much energy plenty." | "We can't have a situation of Scotland being a country of fuel poverty amid so much energy plenty." |
| Energy efficiency | Energy efficiency |
| Labour MSP John Park challenged the first minister to "get his own house in order". | |
| He said: "This is vintage Alex Salmond, happy to criticise others while his government is gambling on making Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK." | |
| But Labour MP Jim Sheridan said there was also pressure from inside Labour, from the trades unions and from constituents to do something. | |
| He said: "We cannot ignore the strength of feeling that's out there and it's up to Gordon and the rest of the cabinet to act and act quickly." | |
| A UK Government statement on energy prices is expected next week, but it is thought a windfall tax will not be among the measures announced. | A UK Government statement on energy prices is expected next week, but it is thought a windfall tax will not be among the measures announced. |
| Ministers were hoping to unveil a package of help with fuel bills, including payments of between £50 and £100 per head. | Ministers were hoping to unveil a package of help with fuel bills, including payments of between £50 and £100 per head. |
| But after energy firms refused to help provide the cash, the focus is now being put on improving energy efficiency, rather than securing immediate savings. | But after energy firms refused to help provide the cash, the focus is now being put on improving energy efficiency, rather than securing immediate savings. |
| Accusations of "caving in" to the energy companies over cash rebates have been denied. | Accusations of "caving in" to the energy companies over cash rebates have been denied. |
| Fuel poverty is defined as when more than 10% of household income is spent on fuel bills. | Fuel poverty is defined as when more than 10% of household income is spent on fuel bills. |