FMQs RECAP: Nicola Sturgeon updates MSPs in parliament on energy price cap and Covid-19 pandemic

Here is a look back on what Nicola Sturgeon said to MSPs in parliament on Thursday for First Minister’s Questions.
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Ms Sturgeon discussed the energy price cap,ventilation in schools and much more.

Take a look back here for all the updates she gave at FMQs.

FMQs RECAP: Nicola Sturgeon updates MSPs in parliament on energy price cap and Covid-19 pandemic

Key Events

  • FM said ‘every penny’ of Barnett consequentials will be given to Scots struggling following energy price cap announcement.
  • Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood that Scotland’s schools were “fit for use” following ventilation concerns.

FMQs Scotland: When is Nicola Sturgeon speaking, what will she say and how can I watch?

Here is what you need to know before Ms Sturgeon is quizzed by members in Holyrood.

Douglas Ross brings up ‘door chop’ plan

The Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross asks why one of the Scottish Government’s ideas is to chop the bottom off classroom doors.

The Scottish government plans to spend £300,000 to cut the bottoms off thousands of doors in schools to improve air quality.

It comes following serious concern for ventilation in classrooms across Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon says they will follow ‘basic common sense’ with structural changes.

‘Only thing that’s being chopped off is Scottish Tory leader’s own legs at the knees’, FM says

To enable local authorities to take actions on ventilation issues, FM says the Scottish Government has allocated £5 million funding.

FM speaks on spike to energy bills

Nicola Sturgeon says Rishi Sunak’s announcement on energy bills does not go far enough - but says “every single penny” of consequentials will go towards helping Scots.

The FM comments come following the recent Ofgem announcement that the average energy bill to go up by 54% in April this year.

Leader of the Scottish Labour Party Anas Sarwar questioned the first minister on rising energy price increases which will “cause pain and distress to hundreds of thousands of people across our country”.

He asks why SNP MPs failed to vote for a windfall tax on energy companies’ profits in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Sunak offers energy bills support which Sturgeon deems ‘not good enough’ at FMQs

Ofgem announcement on energy price cap

Ofgem announced that the average energy bill will rise by £693 a year after the standard tariff increase of 54%.

The new price cap announced on Thursday will take effect in Scotland, England and Wales in April and affect 22 million households.

It comes during a cost of living crisis, with people facing higher taxes and rising costs for food and other items.

Your individual bill will be different depending on your size of property and the amount of energy you use.

The average customer will face an annual default tariff of £1,971 – up from £1,277.

Many people are struggling amid increases in energy prices and the cost of living generally (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)Many people are struggling amid increases in energy prices and the cost of living generally (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Many people are struggling amid increases in energy prices and the cost of living generally (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

‘Priority work underway for independence referendum’, says FM

Ms Sturgeon said the people of Scotland will have a chance to take themselves out of a ‘disreputable’ and ‘discredited’ UK government.

The First Minister says ‘priority work is underway’ for an independence referendum - ‘covid permitting’.

Nicola Sturgeon announced in the Programme for Government last year that civil servants would resume work on a plan for how Scotland would look outside the UKNicola Sturgeon announced in the Programme for Government last year that civil servants would resume work on a plan for how Scotland would look outside the UK
Nicola Sturgeon announced in the Programme for Government last year that civil servants would resume work on a plan for how Scotland would look outside the UK

FM: ‘No plans whatsoever to privatise public ferries’

Ms Sturgeon also said that the Government has no plans to split up the Cal Mac network.

The First Minister noted that the Scottish Government has committed £580 million to fund new ferries and port investments.

Her comments come following delays and cancellations to services throughout the covid pandemic.

Timetable reductions caused by staff Covid absences have spread to ten CalMac routes. Picture: CalMacTimetable reductions caused by staff Covid absences have spread to ten CalMac routes. Picture: CalMac
Timetable reductions caused by staff Covid absences have spread to ten CalMac routes. Picture: CalMac

Ross Greer asks how Scot Gov will tackle air pollution

FM said the air quality strategy published last year sets out a series of actions to reduce air pollution over the next five years.

Low emissions will also be introduced in Scotland’s largest cities as well as £500 million funding to active travel.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has proposed introducing a 'hierarchy of road users'.The Department for Transport (DfT) has proposed introducing a 'hierarchy of road users'.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has proposed introducing a 'hierarchy of road users'.

- Anas Sarwar called for more help for people facing a huge spike to energy bills following the energy price cap announcement from Ofgem.

- The FM said ‘every penny’ of Barnett consequentials will be given to Scots struggling. However she added that UK government funding announced by Rishi Sunak was ‘not good enough’.

- Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood that Scotland’s schools were “fit for use” after Douglas Ross raised ventilation issues. Mr Ross asked why one of the Scottish Government’s ideas is to chop the bottom off classroom doors.

- Ms Sturgeon called his question ‘immature’ and said Scottish Government will follow ‘basic common sense’ with structural changes.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said Boris Johnson has "serially" misled the House of Commons.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said Boris Johnson has "serially" misled the House of Commons.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said Boris Johnson has "serially" misled the House of Commons.

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