Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Gavin Newlands has hit out at the Prime Minister over "soaring" Scottish energy bills.

The SNP politician asked Rishi Sunak during this week's Prime Minister's Questions why standing charges in Central Scotland sit at 62.1p per day, while billpayers in Greater London pay 38.5p.

Speaking after Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Newlands said: "The Prime Minister failed to address the concerns of million of people in Scotland who are facing another winter of sky-high bills while power is exported through the grid to heat homes elsewhere.

"It is nothing short of scandalous that in an energy-rich country like Scotland we have thousands of people who are afraid to put their heating or lighting on because they fear the bill coming through the door.

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"This is a wealthy nation, rich in natural resources, but we are expected to pay through the nose for standing charges before a single switch has been flicked on, while the wealthiest part of the UK enjoys bargain basement daily fees.

"And our record renewable generation is penalised through exorbitant transmission fees charged by the grid and set by the government's own regulator."

Mr Newlands said Scotland has some of the highest electricity costs in Europe.

He added: "Since privatisation the energy market has been a disaster for consumers under successive Labour and Tory governments, with billions of pounds stripped from billpayers and handed over to shareholders.

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"We need better regulation of the big energy companies and the amounts they are allowed to charge to give a fairer deal to households who shouldn't have to choose between heating and eating."

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: "We recognise the cost-of-living challenges families are facing and we spent £40billion paying around half a typical household’s energy bill last winter.

"Our Energy Price Guarantee remains in place to protect people until April next year. 

"We're also continuing to support the most vulnerable, with three million households expected to benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount, £900 for those on means-tested benefits, and an extra £150 for disabled people."