Graham Leadbitter has renewed calls for action to bring down fuel costs after Ireland moved to extend significant cuts to fuel duty as households face another difficult autumn of rising prices.
The Moray MP pointed to measures taken by the Irish government as he argued that families in Scotland should receive greater protection from increasing fuel and energy costs.
Ireland has moved to extend reductions in fuel duty following an emergency meeting of its parliament on Friday, with previous interventions resulting in cuts of 32 cents per litre on diesel and 27 cents per litre on petrol.
The measures form part of a €750 million package introduced by the Irish government to support households through the cost of living crisis.
Leadbitter’s intervention comes as UK petrol prices have risen to their highest level in four years, according to figures highlighted by the SNP.
The party has consistently called for VAT to be removed from fuel for the duration of the current crisis, an issue with particular significance across rural areas where driving is often a necessity rather than a choice.
Households are also preparing for another increase in energy costs when the Energy Price Cap rises by 4 per cent in October.
A typical household will pay £1,723 a year under the new cap, up £60 from the rate which came into effect on 1 July.
The SNP argues that this leaves household energy costs £609 above the level implied by Labour’s 2024 general election promise to reduce bills by £300.
SNP Energy spokesperson Graham Leadbitter MP said:
“Andy Burnham’s promise to cut the cost of living already looks bust, the UK government’s failure to act means families are set to be hit with higher prices at the pumps this September, even higher energy bills come October and food prices soaring ahead of Christmas.
“Burnham promised better, but endless TikTok videos from Downing Street will do nothing to put money in people’s pockets or fix Westminster’s economic doom loop.
‘Higher prices and lower living standards now define Brexit Britain, meanwhile, in comparison, our neighbours in independent Ireland can use their economic success to help their citizens when they most need it.
“In energy rich Scotland filling up the tank should not mean emptying your bank account.
“The fact is that Scotland has the energy, but Westminster is setting the price and that reality will never work for our people.
“If Westminster will not act to cut fuel and energy bills, then they should get out of the road for an SNP Government that will.
“And the best way to ensure that these powers are in Scotland’s hands is with the fresh start of independence.
“That would mean we could take real action to help people and bring down prices, just like other independent European countries like Ireland.
“Scotland is an energy superpower and with the fresh start of independence we can make that energy work for us, bring down electricity bills and lower prices at the pumps.”
