Jackie Baillie has accused the SNP of “rank hypocrisy” for raiding energy efficiency budgets in the midst of a cost of living crisis and soaring energy bills.

It comes as the SNP government revealed plans to slash almost £133 million from energy efficiency schemes. 

These schemes are designed to improve the efficiency of public buildings and help people insulate their homes, which will not only reduce emissions but drive down bills and help people stay warm.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP has called these cuts “shameful” as she is hosting two special cost of living advice events to help her constituents manage their household budgets.

The first event in Alexandria on Monday saw advice agencies including Advice Direct Scotland, Age Scotland, West Dunbartonshire Council’s welfare fund and West Dunbartonshire Citizens’ Advice Bureau among others give out advice and practical tips to residents struggling with their bills.

Jackie Baillie has called on the SNP to open up these schemes to boost take-up instead of clawing the money back.

She said: “Nicola Sturgeon has said that Scotland will become a world leader in the green revolution but these revelations show that this is just an empty promise with no real bearing on what is happening on the ground.

“People in my constituency are genuinely worried about the rise in household bills and, instead of being given the support they need, the SNP-Green government have decided to raid the funds that should be used to support people. Those who attended at the cost of living advice event I held on Monday had serious concerns and I suspect the advice agencies on hand to help will be inundated with more worries when we hold the next event on Friday. 

“Making damaging cuts such as the ones which have been made to this important budget lay bare the rank hypocrisy hiding behind this government’s environmental rhetoric, as well as their failure to use the powers they have to help with the cost of living crisis. 

“I am proud that my Labour colleagues have real, fully costed plans to insulate homes, drive down energy bills and build a fairer, greener Scotland.”