In light of reports that the difference in unit price between electricity and gas is presenting challenges for local authorities in deliver…

The Scottish Government is sympathetic to these concerns. However the key levers affecting electricity prices, including electricity market design, network charging and energy bill policy costs, are reserved to the UK Government. Under current market arrangements, gas frequently sets the wholesale electricity price, leading to high costs driven by volatile international gas markets. This arrangement is unfit for purpose.The Scottish Government continues to press the UK Government to reform the energy market, including by decoupling electricity prices from gas prices, so that consumers and organisations in Scotland can fully benefit from our country's substantial renewables resource, ensuring the lower costs of renewables are reflected in consumer prices. We are also supporting investment in renewable generation, electricity networks, energy efficiency and low-carbon heat to reduce long-term exposure to volatile international gas prices.