Scottish independence would reduce energy bills north of the border by more than a third, First Minister John Swinney has claimed.
However, the SNP leader was unable to clearly answer how his party would deliver independence if the UK government continues to refuse requests for a second referendum.
Mr Swinney once again made the case for Scotland leaving the UK, and taking full control over its natural resources, at an SNP campaign event in Glasgow on Monday.
Inspired by his party’s old “it’s Scotland’s oil” political slogan, the first minister stated: “It’s Scotland’s energy.”
He added: “We know from analysis produced for Ofgem that a different policy approach would enable Scotland to have the lowest wholesale electricity prices in Western Europe.
“As we set out in the paper published today, by selling that low-cost electricity into other markets at a profit; by increasing storage capacity, including pumped hydro storage; to end the folly of generators being paid not to produce electricity; and by removing unnecessary costs like the UK’s nuclear levy, we can deliver big benefits here in Scotland.
“That includes being able to lower household electricity bills by over one-third. A big saving for families across Scotland, offering the real hope that cost of living pressures will finally begin to ease.”
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Mr Swinney said lower energy bills would benefit schools and the NHS.
He added: “Think what that will mean for our National Health Service.
“Less money spent on energy bills means more money to spend on doctors and nurses, on more operations and appointments.”
When questioned on how he intends to deliver Scottish independence if the UK government refuses a second referendum, Mr Swinney said: “We’ve got to demonstrate emphatic support for the proposition of independence, and we do so by electing a majority of SNP MSPs at the election in May.”
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Mr Swinney said he met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Friday, and warned the Labour leader he is at risk of becoming the new Margaret Thatcher.
The first minister said: “I left the prime minister in no doubt that unless he changes course, what we face is a second wave of 80s-style deindustrialisation, 80s-style economic devastation.
“Today, Sir Keir Starmer is an even less popular prime minister than Liz Truss – and that takes some doing.
“But if he does not change course on the energy profits levy, he will enter our national story as a second Thatcher, a second destroyer of industry, a second destroyer of communities.
“And Scotland will not forget.”
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The event was held in a city which has been described as the “asylum capital of the UK”.
When questioned on the SNP’s “welcoming” position towards refugees amid growing numbers of protests about the issue, the first minister described the demonstrations outside asylum hotels as “appalling”.
He added: “There’s language on these banners that I just find absolutely wholly and totally contemptible and hostile.”
Mr Swinney acknowledged the growing popularity of Reform UK, but said he would “challenge” the party.
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The first minister added: “I will go up against Reform in what they say.
“I will stand firm in exercising that political leadership, and I’m quite sure I speak for the majority of people in Scotland in the process.”
