The soaring cost of living has come under fresh scrutiny as UK inflation rises to its highest level in nearly 18 months, prompting the SNP to call on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take urgent action.
Figures released this week show inflation rose by 3.6% in the year to June, the steepest increase since January 2024 with the cost of everyday goods continuing to climb.
Energy bills are now on average £152 higher than when Labour entered office last month.
The SNP’s Economy spokesperson, Dave Doogan MP, accused the Labour government of making a difficult situation even worse.
“Labour promised to ease the cost of living crisis,” he said.
“Instead, we’ve seen a surge in energy bills, higher food prices, and rising costs for household goods.
“The situation for many families has gone from bad to worse.”
Mr Doogan pointed to what he called a “long-term decline” in living standards across the UK, blaming successive Westminster governments for economic stagnation, rising unemployment and stagnating wages.
“Brexit Britain is broken,” he said.
“And Westminster is failing to reverse that decline.
“We’re seeing the cost of living soar while families are left struggling to make ends meet.”
He added that the past three decades of economic failure under both Labour and Conservative governments demonstrated why Scotland needs full powers over its economy.
“The Scottish Government is already doing what it can with limited powers.
“Under John Swinney, we’ve scrapped peak rail fares, expanded free school meals, protected free prescriptions and delivered the Scottish Child Payment.
“These are the decisions that make a real difference, but we need the full powers of independence to go further.”
Mr Doogan called on the Prime Minister to follow Scotland’s lead and act now.
“Keir Starmer must get a grip.
“Families can’t wait.
“The Labour Government must urgently deliver meaningful support or make way for a government that will.”
