The SNP has criticised the UK Government’s response to rising energy costs, warning that households across Scotland face increasing financial pressure as bills are expected to climb further.
The comments follow the Chancellor’s decision not to introduce wider support measures, despite forecasts that energy bills could rise significantly in the coming months.
Recent projections suggest average annual energy bills could increase by £332 from July, taking the typical cost to £1,973.
That would leave bills £405 higher than when the current government took office and £705 above levels previously suggested during the election campaign.
The SNP has called for the Energy Price Cap to be frozen at April levels or lower for the rest of the year to prevent further increases.
It is also urging the UK Government to scrap planned fuel duty increases and consider alternative measures to ease pressure on households.
The party has called for an urgent four nations summit to discuss support for families and businesses in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neil has backed the call, highlighting concerns over rising costs and the need for coordinated action.
Dave Doogan MP said:
“The Labour Party’s failure to deliver any meaningful support for the overwhelming majority of families is a total betrayal, which will leave millions of Scottish households in the lurch as bills soar on Keir Starmer’s watch.
“Today’s statement from the Chancellor was absolutely pathetic.
“It is a disgrace that the Labour Party is refusing to lift a finger to support the majority of working families and, it is, yet another broken promise from a Chancellor who told voters she would reduce everyone’s energy bills by £300 only to preside over sky-high bills that could soon be £700 higher than promised.
“Scotland is an energy-rich country and it is a scandal that, under the Labour Party, Scottish families are being forced to pay among the highest energy bills in Europe while the Treasury takes more than £350billion of Scotland’s energy wealth for Westminster.
“The Labour Party is completely out of touch and it will never be forgiven if it refuses to help the majority of hard-pressed working families.
“Energy bills must be frozen for the rest of the year, the Labour Party’s plans to hike fuel duty must be scrapped, and the UK government must bring forward a far more generous package to help people and businesses afford fuel, heating oil and their energy bills.
“No one can take anything the Chancellor says on energy security seriously when the Labour Party is destroying thousands of jobs in Scotland’s oil and gas sector and refusing to deliver the investment needed to secure a just transition to a renewable future.
“The fact that Scotland is facing yet another energy crisis as a result of Westminster’s failure shows why we need full control over our energy wealth and resources with independence, so we can lower bills, deliver energy security, and invest Scotland’s huge energy wealth back into Scotland’s communities.”
The debate comes as households continue to face rising costs across energy, fuel and essential goods.
With further increases forecast, pressure is growing for action to address affordability and support families in the months ahead.
