Llinos Medi

I think those conversations will take place in every community where there is a grid connection, and it is respectful to have those conversations. Since being elected to this place, I have been having conversations about having a robust connection, which should include undergrounding, to respect our communities. Communities that are hosting nationally significant energy projects should also be getting energy transmission in a fairer way. Another measure that should have been announced today is energy support. Wales has some of the oldest and hardest to heat housing stock in western Europe, and official figures show that one in four households are living in fuel poverty. As has been mentioned today, many households across rural Wales remain off the gas grid—including 52% of those on Ynys Môn—with many of them reliant on heating oil. Businesses, too, remain exposed to volatile energy costs, without the protection of a price cap. The Chancellor announced that standing charges on gas will not be removed until the end of 2027, so households will not see the benefits of that decision this winter. The Government have not taken immediate steps to end unfair electricity standing charges, leaving households in north Wales paying the highest standing charges anywhere in the United Kingdom. The people of Wales deserve better—they deserve a Government prepared to match their rhetoric on fairness with meaningful action. We did not get that fair deal for Wales in this Budget.