City leader demands end to energy firms' fuel cost 'scandal'

CITY leader Jenny Dawe is to write to Chancellor Alistair Darling to argue that energy companies should do more to help tackle UK fuel poverty.

The Lib Dem/SNP administration has approved a motion which also calls for an end to the "scandal" whereby residents using pre-pay meters are charged more than people with direct debits.

The debate was held after the Green group called for a windfall tax on energy companies. But Cllr Dawe said she doubted Mr Darling would "pay attention", while deputy leader Steve Cardownie said the motion was "pointless".

However, the Labour group of councillors accused the administration of "hypocrisy". At a meeting in June, the Lib Dem/SNP coalition refused to raise the funding crisis facing the Edinburgh-based Scots Music Group with Scottish ministers.

Labour culture spokesman Paul Godzik said today: "Could it be the administration did not want to embarrass the SNP?"