Category Archives: Believe In Scotland

Scottish customers are being ripped off by the UK energy system

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Scottish customers are being ripped off by the UK energy system

Scotland generates an abundance of cheap, clean power. Scotland’s renewable energy costs about one-third of the price of fossil fuel-based electricity to make. Every year, we generate enough cheap renewable energy to cover Scotland’s needs. Yet our bills are sky high!

This contrast says it all

Scotland: typical household electricity costs around 27p per Kilowatt Hour (/kWh)
Norway: typical household electricity costs 10p/kWh, with a new proposal to reduce household electricity costs (to fight inflation) to 3p /kWh

The Norwegians call that new proposal ‘The Norway Price’ – but you don’t pay The Norway Price, you pay the Broken Britain price and it’s almost ten times more than Norway is planning. You are being ripped off!

Your energy bills will be lower in an independent Scotland

An independent Scotland would have some of the lowest energy costs in the world, but as part of the UK we pay some of the highest prices for energy. This is because we pay the UK price for energy which is essentially set by the cost of fossil fuel-based generation in England.

Why? Because Westminster’s energy system is broken, so you pay more.

It’s Westminster’s flawed energy market policy that is increasing energy bills and, as energy is required for everything we make from food production to electronic goods etc, it’s that overpriced energy that is causing inflation and the cost of living crisis.

The fake “free market”

We’re told energy is priced by a free market. It isn’t. It’s a system privatised by governments Scotland didn’t vote for, stitched together with rules that let energy traders manipulate the price to their advantage – for example by never charging less than the price of gas, which is the most expensive way to generate energy.

How the UK Electricity Market Works (Basics + Marginal Pricing)

You may have to read this twice, as you are not going to believe this!

Here is how the UK electricity (and energy) market works including a hugely unfair policy called marginal pricing which is why gas prices drive up all electricity prices, even when in Scotland all of our generation needs are met from low-cost renewables.

Supply meets demand via “merit order” system

In each half-hour slot, system operators match electricity supply to demand. Generation companies are sorted by their short-run marginal cost (i.e. the cost to produce one additional Megawatt Hour (MWh) of energy). Renewables like wind, solar, hydro where Scotland excels have very low marginal costs, while gas plants have higher marginal costs (fuel + variable costs, carbon, pollution etc). The pricing system starts by taking in the lowest cost and then the next supplier is brought in via the merit order until demand is met. Then we pay the average price of all the different supplies right? Wrong!

Marginal (or “spot”) price setting

The last (and therefore most expensive – gas) energy producer needed to meet demand is the marginal generator and its cost sets the wholesale electricity price for all generation in that 30-minute slot. In other words: every supplier is paid the marginal cost, regardless of whether their generation cost was lower – hence enormous profits for renewable energy producers but no lower cost benefit to the consumer.

Why gas often sets the price

Gas plants are flexible and relatively quick to ramp up or down, so they are frequently used to balance fluctuations. Because gas plants are almost always the marginal price setting plant, their high fuel costs dominate the market price. The price of gas started rising in summer 2021 as the economy started to open up again after Covid and then rose again due to the gas supply issues related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  So we have lived with this market dynamic for 4 years now and the UK government have done nothing whilst it drives inflation and causes fuel poverty.

UK Generation Mix & Recent Figures – why Gas pushes up the price you pay for electricity!

In 2024, renewables generated 50.8% of electricity in the UK (wind ~29.5%, solar ~5.2%, plus hydro, biomass). Nuclear provided about 14.25%. Fossil fuels (mainly gas) were about 31.5%. The remaining share is small (coal is mostly phased out). In recent years, it’s estimated that gas sets the UK wholesale electricity price in ~98% of time slots. So despite renewables and nuclear together making up 65% of output, gas still plays a crucial role in price formation.

Put differently: you don’t pay the average cost; you pay the cost of the most expensive needed generator.

You can take a look at EnergyDashboard.co.uk and see exactly what the UK energy mix is at any one time and how much of the UK’s energy is met by hugely expensive gas that Scotland doesn’t need. At the time of writing this article Gas is making up 35.4% of the energy mix and you are paying through the nose for it.

Scotland is a cheap renewables powerhouse

The latest figures show that Scotland generated 113% of its electricity needs from renewables. So in an independent Scotland, you would pay the lowest price possible for energy, switching Scotland from one of the most expensive nations in the world for energy to one of the cheapest. Given time and investment in hydro storage, we could start to consider if the Scotland Price could match the Norway Price – but to begin with your bills should drop by half or more.

End Scotland’s energy bill rip-off now!

Read the full article at Believe in Scotland by visiting the link below.. https://www.believeinscotland.org/scottish_customers_are_being_ripped_off_by_the_uk_energy_system?utm_campaign=energy_and_review_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=believeinscotland.

A New Step Towards Independence and a First Step Towards Unity

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An exciting first step to a stronger Yes movement – BiS is reaching out across the Yes movement to Reset. Reunite. Rebuild and Win.

Believe in Scotland and the SNP sign a working agreement, here is everything you need to know:

A Landmark Agreement

Believe in Scotland (BiS) and the Scottish National Party (SNP) have signed a working agreement, marking an important milestone in the shared mission to advance Scottish independence. The agreement was signed on Saturday the 4th of October in a packed Blair Blether In, the local Yes Hub in Blairgowrie. The agreement reflects a joint commitment to bring together political leadership, grassroots campaigning, and civic engagement in order to ensure Scotland’s future is determined by the people of Scotland.The organisations have agreed to work together to:

  • Convince the public of the benefits of independence, focusing on the tangible, direct improvements it can bring to people’s lives, communities, and Scotland’s wellbeing and long-term prosperity;
  • Champion the sovereign right of the Scottish people to decide their future, honouring the decision that Scotland’s constitutional future must rest with its people;

The SNP will join BiS in building a wider platform for unity and engagement across the independence movement through the Scottish Independence Congress. And encourage civic participation, ensuring the campaign for independence is built with and for the people of Scotland, through inclusive dialogue, engagement, and grassroots involvement.

Reaching out across the Yes movement: Reset, Reunite, Rebuild, Win

At Believe in Scotland, our mission is clear: Reset the debate, Reunite the movement, Rebuild our momentum and Win independence for Scotland.

This agreement is a first step in that process. It demonstrates the SNP’s willingness to collaborate more closely with the grassroots, while affirming Believe in Scotland’s role as a non-party, movement-wide umbrella organisation for the independence campaign. This is not about aligning with any one political party, but rather the first step in our plan to reunite the entire Yes movement and get the campaign for Scottish independence back on the front foot again.

BiS has already approached Scotland’s other independence-supporting parties with parliamentarians in their ranks and after positive initial conversations we are optimistic about progressing similar understandings with them soon. In addition, we will continue reaching out to non-party Yes organisations to explore opportunities for working together, building a broad, inclusive campaign powered by Scotland’s civic voice.

The Voice of the Movement: The Scottish Independence Congress

Central to this collaboration will be the renewed Scottish Independence Congress, an initiative led by Believe in Scotland. The Scottish Independence Congress has been run by Believe in Scotland since 2021 acting as a platform for discourse for Believe in Scotland’s 143 affiliated local and national grassroots independence groups. The Congress has had contributions from both political and grassroots leaders across the movement since its inception. This renewed and fully inclusive Congress will act as the voice of the movement, bringing together grassroots groups and political leadership to create a positive dialogue, and cooperation.This is about ensuring that the Yes movement speaks to the people of Scotland with clarity and unity on the values we share and the key benefits of independence that we all agree on.

Statements

Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, Founder of Believe in Scotland, said:

“Scotland can not wait much longer for its independence. Once we are independent, there will be so much that we can do to secure Scotland’s wellbeing and its prosperity.

“This agreement, I believe, marks a watershed moment for the independence campaign. The principle political party of independence and the grassroots led independence campaign umbrella body are seeking to collaborate to better communicate the benefits of independence to the people of Scotland.

“It’s about resetting the independence campaign, rebuilding our momentum and most importantly reuniting the movement to get Scotland ready to win our independence.” “We’ve already reached out to other political parties with parliamentarians in their ranks and had very positive discussions. ”

First Minister and SNP Leader John Swinney said:

The agreement signalled a “renewed moment of unity and purpose for the independence movement”.

“I am proud to solidify our commitment to working with Believe in Scotland to deliver a campaign that empowers people across the country,”

“This is about more than political cooperation – it’s about building trust, broadening engagement, and ensuring that Scotland’s future is chosen by its people, for its people.

“More than ever, I am determined to galvanise our movement and, by working closely with Believe in Scotland, I know that we are strengthening our collective ability to make the case for independence clearly, constructively, and with purpose.

“Together, we are building a powerful alliance who believe in better for Scotland – and crucially, putting the voices of people across Scotland at the heart of Scotland’s future.”

Looking Ahead

This agreement represents a new phase for Scotland’s independence campaign. One of cooperation, inclusivity, and unity. For Believe in Scotland, it is just the beginning. We are committed to reaching out across the Yes movement, from political parties to non-party Yes groups, to build the strongest possible alliance for Scotland’s future.

Together, we will Reset, Reunite, Rebuild – Win

Read Full Article https://www.believeinscotland.org/a_new_step_towards_independence_and_a_first_step_towards_unity_believe_in_scotland_and_snp_sign_working_agreement.

Believe In Scotland News – Water Bills

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Scottish water bills increase is a third of England’s

Water bills in England are rising much more than in Scotland. You would not know that from watching BBC Breakfast as they presented the rise as an average £10 a month for England and 10% for Scotland. The average rise for Scotland is £3.68 – about one-third of the English rise.

England is the only country in the developed world to have fully privatised its water. Scotland did not go down that road and as a result, Scottish waterways are much cleaner than in England and water bills are lower.

The gulf in average water charges between England and Scotland is widening over time. And Scotland has a more progressive way of helping the poorest households with water bills, based on their council tax band.

The 16 million people who have to get their water supply from Thames Water are seeing their water bills go up by more than 35 per cent and Thames Water believes they should go higher still. ​​Their bills are expected to rise by around £151, reaching an average £639 next year. Thames Water has paid more than £7 billion to shareholders and is struggling to service its enormous debts. It is just taking another loan -£900mn of the first £1.4bn of this loan will go on high interest rates and advisory fees. Less than half the amount the company is looking to borrow will be available to provide any of the repairs to their water and sewerage system that are so desperately needed. Thames Water users are the only source of revenue for the company so they will have to pay this bill. 

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Believe In Scotland News – WASPI

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Scotland’s women have been swindled by Westminster pension injustice

Scottish pensioners already face one of the lowest state pensions in the developed world. But the Waspi women (Women against state pension inequality) have suffered pension injustice that means they were short-changed on even that.

If Scotland were an independent country, it could model its pension provision on a country like Denmark and offer a Wellbeing Pension, set at the level required to sustain a life of dignity, where every older person can afford the basic necessities of life. But only with the powers of independence can Scotland take control over this.

Sadly, the UK government has refused to pay these women even the small sum in compensation that the UK Parliamentary watchdog said they should receive. This refusal has led to anger from the WASPI campaign group. They have raised £130,000 so far in a crowdfunder to seek a judicial review of the UK government’s decision.

Angela Madden, the group’s chair said: “The Government has accepted that 1950s-born women are victims of maladministration, but it now says none of us suffered any injustice. We believe this is not only an outrage but legally wrong.”

The Government is due to reply to their request for a review next week – ironically just after International Women’s Day.

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Believe In Scotland News – Child Poverty

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Child poverty predicted to rise in most of UK except Scotland

 

Child poverty is on course to increase in the UK by the end of this parliament, with only Scotland bucking the trend, according to analysis by a respected poverty charity.

This is essentially because the Westminster government continues to discriminate against children born into larger families. 

The two-child cap means that only the oldest two siblings get help if their parents fall into poverty – that is pushing many families into misery. In contrast, the Scottish government pays the Scottish Child Payment to every child in the family. 

In Scotland child poverty rates will have fallen by 2029 under current economic projections, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) said. Scotland’s relative success – its child poverty rates are projected to be 10 percentage points lower than England’s by 2029 – is attributed to Holyrood’s more generous child benefits and its plans to scrap the two-child benefit limit.

But child poverty in Scotland is still too high – in part because of the energy profiteering caused by Westminster’s privatisation of Scotland’s energy infrastructure. Poor Scottish families pay more than any in Europe to heat their homes and cook their food. 

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