Thursday 10 July 2014
Britain’s single market for gas and electricity should remain in place if Scotland votes for independence, a new report suggests.
The Expert Commission on Energy Regulation, made up of independent experts from across the UK, looked at the possible arrangements and how Scotland’s partnership with the rest of Britain could be made to work after independence.
Its report said there was "overwhelming support for maintaining single markets in electricity and gas" across England, Scotland and Wales and suggested "it is the best outcome for consumers and investors".
Chair of the Commission Robert Armour added: "In the event of independence there are undoubtedly issues that will have to be settled between the two administrations. We share a common integrated system and have a common interest in energy security.
“Looking to Europe and beyond we found working models of cross-border partnerships delivering jointly-regulated integrated markets that show single markets can work with goodwill and cooperation.”
The Commission was also asked to look at fuel poverty and is calling for “a more radical approach” to tackling the problem.
Earlier this year Energy Secretary Ed Davey claimed independence could push up Scottish consumers’ energy bills by nearly £200 per household and hundreds of thousands of pounds for a medium sized manufacturer.