Cole-Hamilton highlights SNP failure on fuel poverty

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament during this afternoon’s session of First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“It is because of the Liberal Democrats that the Scottish Budget now includes:

• A new Belford Hospital in Fort William
• A replacement eye pavilion for Edinburgh
• Support services for babies born addicted to drugs
• Investment to make it easier for you to see your GP or an NHS dentist
• Long Covid care pathways
• Backing for hospices
• New skilled pipelines for care and offshore wind
• Business rates relief for hospitality
• More affordable homes
• A better future for young people at Corseford College
• The right for family carers to earn more
• More money for councils, for ferries and for social care.

“Our priorities will now be backed by hundreds of millions of pounds of government investment. Liberal Democrats acting responsibly, setting aside differences, getting things done.

“Presiding Officer, we also fought for a winter fuel payment for Scotland’s pensioners. And it’s happening.

“That matters because this week we learned that a third of households are in fuel poverty.

"So can I ask the First Minister, after 18 years of SNP Government, why are so many people still freezing in cold homes?”