DUNFERMLINE and West Fife MP has called for energy regulator to be scrapped, claiming it does Scotland "no favours" with price.

The politician raised the issue with Minister of State for Climate, Graeme Stuart, in Westminster.

He said: “Ofgem does Scottish energy consumers no favours as they purposely push up prices with higher standing charges – despite Scots being closer to the generation of huge reserves of renewable energy than the rest of the UK.

"In reality, Scotland’s consumers are paying a heavy price for the privilege of keeping England’s lights on. That’s why I’m calling for Ofgem to go, and to bring the regulator to Scotland instead.”

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Ofgem have just concluded a consultation process into a review of energy standing charges, with unprecedented responses from consumers, consumer groups, the energy sector and charities.

Mr Chapman added: “It will be interesting to read the result of this consultation process on standing charges, with I’m sure many Scots replying on the unfairness of their higher costs.

"What will Ofgem do about it? Perhaps they will abolish standing charges but pass on this cost to the unit price of energy instead as the CEO of British Gas owner Centrica discussed in a recent BBC Breakfast interview.

"Chris O’Shea said that in this case those who use less energy will pay less. How will that work in Scotland where our winters are usually colder than other parts of the UK? And how will that work for those living in some of the drafty, uninsulated properties across the UK?

“In a swings and roundabouts argument, the fact remains that the unbalanced and unfair system operated by Ofgem on behalf of the UK Government is driving up energy debt in Scotland.

"Despite this, Ofgem continues to operate to an old-fashioned, London-centric concept that they should encourage energy production close to population centres.

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“Ofgem is no longer fit for purpose and either they relinquish control of Scotland’s energy market or let’s make sure these markets are regulated and controlled by our Parliament here in Scotland."

Responding to Mr Chapman, Mr Stuart MP said the UK Government has "moved decisively" to support families in Scotland and across the rest of the UK.

"I am pleased that the price cap has fallen by half since its peak last year, and we are making sure that our support is targeted at the most vulnerable," he said.

"I have already laid out many of the measures we are taking precisely to ensure that people in Scotland and elsewhere are supported in what has been a tough time.

"Overall, we are, of course, looking to power up Britain. We have set out a plan to do that, precisely in order to have more of our power coming from Britain and to remove our dependence on foreign fossil fuels."