Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser says unconventional gas will bring energy prices down and brands renewable energy targets are "glitzy, yet pointless" while SNP Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown hits back

He also said renewable energy targets are “glitzy, yet pointless”, just days before news broke that Scotland has exceeded a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent six years early.

Mid Scotland and Fife representative Murdo Fraser says unconventional gas, extracted using fracking and other techniques, in Scotland has a “great potential” to deliver well-paid jobs and cheaper energy.

The Conservative politician highlighted statistics from a consumer insight tracker, showing that around two-thirds of respondents in the region are worried about energy prices and only about a quarter trust their gas and electricity provider.

He believes people across Clackmannanshire, Perth and Kinross, Fife and Stirling need affordable energy, rather than expensive renewables.

However, local SNP MSP Keith Brown has slammed Mr Fraser and his party, saying they are not doing anything at Westminster to address the issue and also hit-out at them for taking a “gung-ho approach” on unconventional gas and fracking.

MSP Fraser said: “For sky-high energy bills to be causing residents across Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire so much anxiety is a real concern.

“These statistics should act as a wake-up call to the Scottish Government who have put glitzy, yet pointless, renewable energy targets ahead of keeping bills low for ordinary householders.

“I would encourage the Scottish Government to look again at the potential of onshore gas to deliver energy security and cheaper bills, just as it has done in the United States. There is great potential in Scotland for unconventional gas to deliver well-paid jobs and cheaper energy.

“Scotland has some of the most expensive energy prices in Europe and the Scottish Government needs to understand that people across Mid Scotland and Fife want a balanced energy portfolio that can get bills under control.”

Charity Consumers' Association, or better know as Which?, asked 469 people around the Clackmannanshire and Dunblane constituency and found that 64 per cent of residents are most worried about energy prices, around the Scottish average.

And only 28 per cent said they trust their utility providers – the data also showed people trust social care services the least, with only about a quarter of respondents saying they had faith in them.

Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, said: “This is rich coming from Murdo Fraser as the Tories at Westminster have consistently failed to do anything to address the cost of energy – despite being in a position to do so.

“During the recent election campaign, I spoke to hundreds of people across Clackmannanshire and it was clear that there is widespread concern about fracking and this is exactly why the Scottish Government introduced a moratorium, which has ensured that no fracking can take place in Scotland.

“A comprehensive programme of research is already underway, and once this has reported to ministers this will be followed by a full public consultation in order that any decision is based on sound evidence and public opinion.

“We are being rightly cautious, which is in stark contrast to the gung-ho approach of the Tories.”