SCOTTISH Greens have demanded action on fuel bills as temperatures in the north of Scotland plummet.

Despite this Christmas being one of the mildest on record across Britain, the Highlands stayed stubbornly below zero.

Highland & Islands Green MSP Ariane Burgess warned there is a disproportionate impact of soaring energy prices on those in the colder north and called for greater financial support.

Ms Burgess said: “We already know rural Scotland experiences higher levels of fuel poverty than the rest of the country, particularly the Scottish Highlands and islands. 

“In remote rural areas, fuel poverty rates are around 40 per cent: that’s four in 10 homes that struggle to afford these essential costs.”

Just a week after the SNP-Green draft Scottish budget pledged to axe its fuel insecurity fund — which campaigners argue kept the lights and heating on for tens of thousands — Ms Burgess called for British government action on prepayment meters, standing charges and the creation of a social tariff.

She added: “It’s time for the UK government to join the Scottish government in prioritising rural communities for support.”

The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero was contacted for comment.