John Swinney has issued a fresh call for devolved energy powers as household prices are set to rise by 13% from today.
The latest price cap change from Ofgem is a 13% increase, a difference of approximately £18 per month, bringing the typical household's annual gas and electricity bill to £1,862.
The increase is linked to a sharp rise in wholesale energy costs related to the conflict in the Middle East.
Reacting to the price increase, First Minister John Swinney has called on Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham to follow through on his promises of further devolution and transfer control of energy to Scotland.
He said: “I know the prospect of further energy bill increases will be causing anxiety for many people who are already struggling with the cost of living.
“Scotland is an energy-rich country and nobody should be struggling to pay their bills.
"If the UK government was serious about devolving more power away from Westminster they would finally put control of Scotland’s energy resources in Scotland’s hands.”
Swinney also highlighted a number of Scottish Government measures in place to help ease pressure on households struggling with energy costs, including support through the Scottish Welfare Fund and the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme.