On Friday, Alexander Burnett (SCAUP), asked the Scottish Government what efforts it was making or can make to ensure that electric-only supplied houses are provided a broad choice of suppliers and what steps it is taking or can take to increase the number of suppliers available to homes that are electric only. Seems innocent enough until you remember Burnett’s previous:

 I see he has declared these in the Holyrood Register of Interests:

I am an unpaid Director of Hill of Banchory ESCo Limited of Banchory Business Centre, Burn O’Bennie Road, Banchory, AB31 5ZU. Hill of Banchory ESCo Limited is a limited company providing heat energy to residential and commercial consumers and is a 100% owned subsidiary (related undertaking) of North Banchory Company Limited.

I am an unpaid Director of JIGSAW Energy Limited of Banchory Business Centre, Burn O’Bennie Road, Banchory, AB31 5ZU. JIGSAW Energy Limited is dormant limited company and is a 100% owned subsidiary (related undertaking) of North Banchory Company Limited.

https://www.parliament.scot/msps/currentmsps/98353.aspx

Unpaid Director eh? So, there wouldn’t be anything in it for him if the Scottish Government were to allow a bit of a free-for-all on energy supply to householders? Luckily, it looks as if they are going to protect customers by making sure suppliers conform to rigorous standards in customer information. See the answer extract below:

Scotland has a comparatively high number of consumers using electric heating. We are committed to providing targeted support for these consumers, which is we fund Home Energy Scotland who are rolling out an enhanced advice service for electric heating consumers. This service will help users to make informed choices about which supplier is best for them.

http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx