BBC Debate Night audience told to 'get angry' over energy crisis
Broadcaster and journalist Lesley Riddoch made the comments in Inverness as she appeared on a panel alongside SNP MSP Fergus Ewing, Tory MSP Edward Mountain, Labour MP Torcuil Crichton, and former chairman of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Alan Savage.
The panel was asked what could be done to avoid a "modern Highland Clearances", and keep Scots in the Highlands rather than the majority move away.
According Highland Council, the population of the region will fall by 5% by 2040.
READ MORE: Ed Miliband: Zonal energy pricing won't proceed if it raises bills in parts of the UK
Crichton said he was "reluctant" to compare the crisis to the Clearances, adding: "Depopulation is the biggest issue facing us, facing the periphery, facing the Western Isles. We have to start looking at population retention, and attracting young people back to the Highlands, with jobs and with housing."
He further added that what is happening in the peripheries of Europe, should be of note to the rest of the continent as "white western Europe is in decline, we're all aging, and the demographics are all going the wrong way".
Jardine then asked Riddoch about what can be learned from the Nordic experience, to which she responded: 'I'm sitting here fuming, because what the Highlands have got is energy.
'Massive, massive amounts of renewable energy - the profits of which are going everywhere else but the Highlands.
'The Highlands should have no energy bills, they've got so much potential.
'The remote areas could be laughing and choosing between, 'will it be tidal, would it be solar even, would it be wind, would it be hydro?'
'There's so much potential here, but because of the pricing of energy in the United Kingdom, which is a Westminster responsibility, we end up having renewables priced at the expensive rate of gas."
Riddoch went on to highlight "rubbish grid connections" across Scotland, adding: "I was in Applecross last weekend. Those guys had a community hydro, I knew the lass that actually spent two months raising £780,000 - unbelievable that she could do that in two months flat - they were really pleased with their community hydro.
'Wee snag - the grid is so rubbish, they can only export half of the energy, and it's a tiny, tiny hydro system. Same is true for any commercial venture, they can't export the energy.
'How do you think Applecross is going to expand its population? And how angry would you be there? I wish people would be more angry.
"My lot come from Caithness, a bit of me's Highland, I understand people are quiet. But, it's time to get really angry about this because you are being had."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
22 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
British state ‘overbearing' ministers say as they lay out industrial overhaul
In the Industrial Strategy published on Monday, the Government has backed UK industries it thinks have the potential to grow, with the aim of creating jobs and prosperity across Britain and Northern Ireland. Artificial intelligence (AI), offshore wind power, and electric vehicle batteries are among the sectors which feature. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to Horiba Mira in Nuneaton to mark the launch of the Government's Industrial Strategy (Jacob King/PA) The strategy aims to help realise Labour's mission pledge to create sustained economic growth, which ministers want to see become the highest in the G7. In the strategy's foreword, alongside Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Sir Keir said that 'when new opportunities present themselves, Britain often finds itself too regulated to take advantage'. The ministers added: 'The result is a state that is both overbearing and feeble, poorly serving an economy that has become too reliant on one place, too exposed to global volatility and too sluggish to take advantage of transitions like the move to homegrown clean energy'. They said that the strategy marks a 'new approach' and accounts for a decade-long plan to make Britain an attractive country to invest in. The industrial strategy focuses on eight areas. As well as the main strategy, on Monday the Government also published five separate 'sector plans', with more details on distinct policy areas: advanced manufacturing, creative industries, clean energy, digital and technology, and professional and business services. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (third from right) and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds (right) during a visit to Nuneaton (Jacob King/PA) Plans for the defence, financial services and life sciences sectors will come later. The ministers said that the eight sectors had been 'identified as those best placed to create the wealth, jobs, and higher wages our country needs in every community'. The five sector plans published on Monday emphasised the opportunities for growth across the regions and nations of the UK. Edinburgh's robotics and agri-tech research hubs, and the space industry of the Oxford to Cambridge corridor featured among advanced manufacturing industries. Onshore and offshore wind in south-west Wales, and heat pump producers in Northern Ireland feature in the clean energy sector plans, while Birmingham and Manchester's AI and cyber industries are highlighted in the plan for digital technology. Several of the sector plans also address the changes which AI could have upon their industries. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to Horiba Mira in Nuneaton, to mark the launch of the Government's Industrial Strategy (Jacob King/PA) The creative industries for example, will need to 'embrace new technology', one document says, insisting the Government will maximise the value of AI, while 'protecting and incentivising human creativity'. The strategy includes details on several ways the Government wants to make it easier for firms to do business, such as tackling 'high industrial electricity costs' and reducing 'regulatory burdens'. It also says ministers will 'remove planning barriers' and 'ensure our tax system supports growth'. As part of the plans, energy costs for businesses will be cut by scrapping green levies to help them compete with foreign rivals. From 2027, a new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will cut costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour for over 7,000 manufacturing firms by exempting them from levies on bills including the renewables obligation, feed-in tariffs and the capacity market. The strategy comes after the latest figures indicated the economy shrank by 0.3% in April, the biggest monthly contraction in gross domestic product for a year-and-a-half, as businesses felt the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs and domestic pressure as a result of hikes to firms' national insurance contributions.
Western Telegraph
an hour ago
- Western Telegraph
Welfare reforms will lead to ‘appalling poverty'
Labour MP Andy McDonald asked for further evidence on how many people will lose out on Personal Independence Payments (Pip) as a result of the welfare reform Bill. In the Commons, Labour's Richard Burgon also claimed anyone supporting the reforms is voting to take away benefits from disabled people who need help 'to cut up their food, wash themselves and go to the toilet'. Ministers have highlighted the scale of Pip recipients expected to lose payments make up one in 10 of the total Pip caseload, suggesting the impact of the cuts will be limited, but that's still 370,000 current recipients expected to lose on average, £4,500 Andy McDonald MP Work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said the reforms will 'open up opportunities for people who have been denied opportunities for far, far too long'. It comes after Labour's Vicky Foxcroft resigned as a Government whip over the proposed cuts last week. The Government has previously said the reforms could save up to £5 billion a year. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill will be debated on July 1, when it receives its second reading in the Commons. Speaking on Monday, Mr Burgon, Leeds East MP, said: 'Isn't the simple and sad truth that any MP who votes for this upcoming welfare Bill is voting to take Pip from disabled people who need assistance to cut up their food, wash themselves and go to the toilet?' Sir Stephen replied: 'No. What people will be voting for is reforms to open up opportunities for people who have been denied opportunities for far, far too long. We're putting that right.' Mr McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said: 'Ministers have highlighted the scale of Pip recipients expected to lose payments make up one in 10 of the total Pip caseload, suggesting the impact of the cuts will be limited, but that's still 370,000 current recipients expected to lose on average, £4,500. 'But these numbers rest on a set of assumptions that the OBR has described as highly uncertain. DWP data shows there are 1.3 million people currently receiving Pip daily living payments who would not meet the new criteria. Data for Pip claimants begins in January 2019, when the number stood at 2.05 million (Philip Toscano/PA) 'So before MPs are asked to vote on imposing such appalling poverty, will the DWP or the OBR provide further evidence underpinning these claims?' Sir Stephen replied: 'Well, the OBR has published its assessment. (Mr McDonald) is absolutely right, their assessment is that one in 10 of those who are receiving Pip in November next year will have lost it by 2029/30.' He added: 'Following that, we will be able to introduce the biggest investment there has ever been in employment support for people out of work on health and disability grounds, because we don't want any longer to track people on low income for years and years and years, we want people to be able to enter work and fulfil their ambitions, and that's what the investment will allow.' Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. Data for Pip claimants begins in January 2019, when the number stood at 2.05 million. An impact assessment published alongside the Bill confirmed previously published estimates that changes to Pip entitlement rules could see about 800,000 people lose out, with an average loss of £4,500 per year. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said the reforms will get 'a grand total of zero people into work, according to their own impact assessments'. Elsewhere in work and pensions questions, Ms Kendall said the child poverty task force will look at 'all the levers that we need' to tackle the issue, when pressed on the Government's plans for the two-child benefit cap. What people will be voting for is reforms to open up opportunities for people who have been denied opportunities for far, far too long. We're putting that right Work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms Tracy Gilbert, Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, said: 'I absolutely agree… with a number of charities that removing the cap alone is not a silver bullet to tackle child poverty, but it will make a difference. 'Can (Ms Kendall) confirm if the tackling child poverty task force is considering the removal of a two-child cap?' Ms Kendall replied: 'I can absolutely confirm that the child poverty strategy will be looking at all the levers that we need to tackle this really important issue, including in terms of social security. 'She is impatient for change for her constituents, as am I. We have already put in place a fair repayment rate for universal credit, we are increasing the standard allowance for the first time in universal credit, for the first time in its history, and rolling out free school meals. 'But I will, of course, take her representations forward and make sure they're heard by the task force.'
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
British state ‘overbearing' ministers say as they lay out industrial overhaul
In the Industrial Strategy published on Monday, the Government has backed UK industries it thinks have the potential to grow, with the aim of creating jobs and prosperity across Britain and Northern Ireland. Artificial intelligence (AI), offshore wind power, and electric vehicle batteries are among the sectors which feature. The strategy aims to help realise Labour's mission pledge to create sustained economic growth, which ministers want to see become the highest in the G7. In the strategy's foreword, alongside Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Sir Keir said that 'when new opportunities present themselves, Britain often finds itself too regulated to take advantage'. The ministers added: 'The result is a state that is both overbearing and feeble, poorly serving an economy that has become too reliant on one place, too exposed to global volatility and too sluggish to take advantage of transitions like the move to homegrown clean energy'. They said that the strategy marks a 'new approach' and accounts for a decade-long plan to make Britain an attractive country to invest in. The industrial strategy focuses on eight areas. As well as the main strategy, on Monday the Government also published five separate 'sector plans', with more details on distinct policy areas: advanced manufacturing, creative industries, clean energy, digital and technology, and professional and business services. Plans for the defence, financial services and life sciences sectors will come later. The ministers said that the eight sectors had been 'identified as those best placed to create the wealth, jobs, and higher wages our country needs in every community'. The five sector plans published on Monday emphasised the opportunities for growth across the regions and nations of the UK. Edinburgh's robotics and agri-tech research hubs, and the space industry of the Oxford to Cambridge corridor featured among advanced manufacturing industries. Onshore and offshore wind in south-west Wales, and heat pump producers in Northern Ireland feature in the clean energy sector plans, while Birmingham and Manchester's AI and cyber industries are highlighted in the plan for digital technology. Several of the sector plans also address the changes which AI could have upon their industries. The creative industries for example, will need to 'embrace new technology', one document says, insisting the Government will maximise the value of AI, while 'protecting and incentivising human creativity'. The strategy includes details on several ways the Government wants to make it easier for firms to do business, such as tackling 'high industrial electricity costs' and reducing 'regulatory burdens'. It also says ministers will 'remove planning barriers' and 'ensure our tax system supports growth'. As part of the plans, energy costs for businesses will be cut by scrapping green levies to help them compete with foreign rivals. From 2027, a new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will cut costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour for over 7,000 manufacturing firms by exempting them from levies on bills including the renewables obligation, feed-in tariffs and the capacity market. The strategy comes after the latest figures indicated the economy shrank by 0.3% in April, the biggest monthly contraction in gross domestic product for a year-and-a-half, as businesses felt the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs and domestic pressure as a result of hikes to firms' national insurance contributions.
