Motorists across the UK are facing the prospect of diesel reaching £2 a litre within days as pressure grows on the UK Government to respond to the deepening energy crisis.
The warning follows reports that wholesale fuel prices have surged to a four year high, pushing costs higher for households and businesses.
The SNP has accused the Labour Government of failing to act while other European countries move to shield their citizens.
Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Poland, Italy and Norway are among those to have cut fuel duty or reduced VAT on energy in recent weeks.
The contrast has intensified criticism of Westminster’s approach as costs continue to rise.
The First Minister has already set out a three point plan aimed at easing the pressure.
This includes a cost of living support package with an energy price cap, a reduction in domestic energy VAT to zero and targeted support for businesses.
The proposals also call for action to support motorists, including scrapping the planned fuel duty increase and removing VAT from fuel duty during the crisis.
Stephen Flynn MP said:
“Motorists, households, and businesses are crying out for help as they see prices rise every single day.
“They need help, not in a few weeks or in a few months, they need urgent support right now.
“People look around Europe and they see other countries helping their citizens through this crisis right now, when people look at Westminster, they see a UK government doing nothing.
“All we got from Keir Starmer this week was an emergency press conference where he stood up and announced nothing new, nothing for motorists, nothing for households, nothing for businesses.
“As this energy crisis deepens, support from the UK Treasury is nowhere to be seen and Keir Starmer is sitting on his hands.
“Scotland should not find ourselves in this position as a result of an incompetent Labour Government, we have abundant energy resources and yet are facing an energy crisis and soaring bills thanks to being tethered to broken Brexit Britain.
“And if the UK Government is not willing to take action to support people with this energy crisis, they should get out of the way for a government that will and hand these powers over to Scotland.
“With the fresh start of independence, we will have control over Scotland’s energy in Scotland’s hands, making sure our energy wealth works for us rather than flowing to the UK Treasury.
“That’s what the SNP is offering to the people of Scotland at the election on May 7th.”
With fuel prices rising and pressure building, the coming days will test how Westminster responds as comparisons with Europe sharpen.
