A top level meeting is to take place between Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP Angus MacNeil and UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng, over the potentially catastrophic impact of sky-rocketing fuel prices across the Western Isles.  

Angus MacNeil yesterday (Tuesday March 29) pressed the UK Government to take immediate action to help those who are facing spiralling fuel costs, particularly those with central heating oil and other off-grid fuels.

In the House of Commons, Mr MacNeil raised the issue with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng, and was offered a meeting on the specific difficulties facing island communities.

Mr MacNeil said: “I pointed out that this UK Government has borrowed and printed loads of cash that has been gathered by the already wealthy, millionaires and billionaires who have done best in the bank bailouts.

“It is about time the UK Government did something about those in fuel poverty, in particular who already find themselves nowhere near gas mains and have to use the most expensive types of fuel to heat their homes - central heating oil or stored gas or liquid gas.

“The inequality in the UK has meant that an energy spike means crisis for a lot of people. The Secretary of State offered to meet me on this issue and I will be taking him up on his offer to meet.”