Scotland's First Minister criticizes upcoming energy price hike, calls for independence to lower bills.

Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, has condemned the upcoming 2% rise in the energy price cap, set to take effect on October 1, as "indefensible." This increase will add about £2.93 per month to the average household bill, continuing a trend of cost rises since the Ukraine conflict spiked gas prices. Swinney argues that only Scottish independence can lower bills, while critics call for reforms in the energy market and a shift towards renewable resources. The UK energy minister acknowledged the concerns but emphasized the government's plan to move towards clean, homegrown power to reduce costs in the long term.