Scottish households are facing renewed pressure from energy, food and motoring costs as the SNP challenges Prime Minister Andy Burnham to use his Labour conference speech to set out further help with essential bills.
SNP MSP David Linden has cited party analysis claiming the combined increase facing an average Scottish household amounts to more than £3,000 a year, although the figure brings together a series of different calculations and forecasts rather than representing a single official measure of household costs.
The intervention comes ahead of Burnham’s first Labour conference speech as Prime Minister, with the cost of living remaining a major concern for households across the country.
Energy bills are among the pressures, with Cornwall Insight currently forecasting the typical annual energy price cap at around £1,872 from January.
That would represent a further increase from the £1,723 cap taking effect in October, although the amount individual households actually pay depends on their energy consumption.
Food costs are also expected to remain under pressure, with the Food and Drink Federation forecasting food and non alcoholic drink inflation of 3.9% by December before reaching 5.5% during 2027.
Fuel costs are another focus of the SNP’s challenge, with the party calling for a cut in fuel duty.
The UK Government has extended the existing 5p per litre fuel duty cut until the end of December, with the rates applying from January due to be confirmed at the Budget.
David Linden said:
“Since the Labour Party came to power, Scottish families are paying £3,000 more on household bills.
“Andy Burnham must use his conference speech tomorrow to confirm the upcoming budget will put that money back into family pockets.
“The Labour Party promised they’d cut bills by £300, but they’re set to be £1000 higher than that pledge and to make matters worse, energy rich Scots are paying through the nose at the pump as diesel and petrol prices spiral out of control.
“Under Westminster control, energy rich Scots is set to be inflicted with massive increases to their heating bills.
“For people in a nation with our energy resources and offshore industry to be left struggling to afford their energy bills is a disgrace.
“Every rising energy bill makes the clear case that Scotland’s energy should be in Scotland’s hands.
“Energy rich Scots should never be fuel poor and that’s exactly why we need a fresh start with independence.”
Burnham is expected to use his conference address to outline his wider direction for the government, with public control of utilities among the major themes expected to feature.
For households watching what they spend on heating, food and getting around, the immediate question will be what further measures emerge from the government and the forthcoming Budget.
