A LOCAL MP has hit out at figures that show Wales householders pay amongst the highest rates in the UK for electricity- calling the news ‘scandalous’.

Figures obtained by Plaid Cymru reveal that despite the country being a net exporter of electricity, households in Wales are amongst those paying the most for their bills with electricity costs above the UK average.

A Parliamentary question from Plaid showed that South Wales consumers - which includes residents of Carmarthenshire, Neath, Swansea and Pembrokeshire - pay an average of £33 extra a year more than consumers in London and £54 a year more than consumers in the East Midlands.

Furthermore, irrespective of whether bills are paid by direct debit, quarterly credit or prepayment meter, the cost to all Welsh consumers is above the UK average.

Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards, a former head of policy for Citizens Advice Cymru before entering Parliament, reacted angrily to the figures stating that Westminster was not working for Wales, and said it was a scandal that Wales' families should endure above average bills and appalling levels of fuel poverty whilst generating more than our nation's need in electricity.

Mr Edwards strongly criticised what he called the Westminster elite once again using the natural resources of Wales for the financial benefit of everyone but Wales.

The Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP said: "There's no word I can use to describe these unfair bills other than 'scandalous'.

"We are a resource rich nation, a net exporter of electricity, yet thirty per cent of Welsh households live in fuel poverty and we're paying through the nose for something we overproduce and export. There's no doubt in my mind that Westminster does not work for Wales.

"Time and time again the London elite have voted against Wales having full control of our energy resources which are being used for the financial benefit of everyone but Wales.

“Additionally, not enough has been done to break up the monopoly of the big six energy companies created by the last Government, and all the while Carmarthenshire communities are paying above the UK average for our electricity. It's time for action.”

Mr Edwards added: "Plaid Cymru wants to see a Wales free from fuel poverty with a strong, sustainable energy industry which is there for the benefit of the people of Wales, not shareholders in some international boardroom.

"One of Plaid Cymru's key policies for the general election is the creation of a not-for-distributable profit energy company in Wales which can buy at the wholesale rate and sell to Welsh households at a fair price - a far cry from the rip off Welsh consumers are enduring under successive Westminster governments."