Fox rounds on Salmond over fuel poverty 'pittance'

Mr Fox sent a letter and a petition to the First Minister last month demanding action on soaring energy prices that has pushed even more families into fuel poverty.

In a response sent to the party this week Mr Salmond claimed that the Scottish government's energy plans had helped almost 200,000 households to cut their heating bills.

He said he remained committed to the Scottish government's 2016 fuel poverty target "to address fuel poverty in Scotland."

But Mr Fox claimed that this meant that the Scottish government was no longer committed to eradicate the problem by 2016, as had been promised, but to merely "address" it.

"He talks up a £10mscheme for upgrading systems and £50mfor his Warm Homes Fund," he said.

"Such sums are a pittance in the current circumstances.

"The average bill for gas and electricity combined is almost £1,500 a year for each household."

Mr Fox called on ministers to "step in and cap these bills."

He added: "The Westminster government has cut the winter fuel payments to pensioners by £100 as bills soar instead of doubling it."