Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure to reconsider a planned fuel duty increase as concerns rise over the cost of living and the wider energy crisis.

Calls for a rethink have intensified after Richard Walker, appointed as a cost of living adviser, urged ministers to consider extending or expanding the current fuel duty freeze.

The intervention comes amid continued strain on households, businesses and motorists, with fuel prices and energy bills remaining stubbornly high across the UK.

The adviser is also reported to have pointed to international examples, including action taken in Australia to reduce fuel tax, as a potential model for easing pressure.

Earlier this week, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney outlined a three point plan aimed at supporting people through what he described as an ongoing energy emergency.

The proposals include scrapping the planned fuel duty rise and removing VAT from fuel duty for the duration of the crisis.

Commenting, SNP candidate for Banffshire and Buchan Coast Karen Adam said:

“We are in the middle of an unprecedented energy crisis which is seeing bills and fuel costs skyrocket, all while Keir Starmer stands like a rabbit in the headlights doing absolutely nothing.

“Now even his own cost of living champion is demanding he take action.

“He just cannot keep dithering in the face of a crisis.

“John Swinney has set out a clear action plan for how the UK Labour Government must support people through the energy emergency, including immediately scrapping the planned fuel duty increase and removing VAT from fuel duty for the duration of the crisis.

“If the Labour Government won’t act to support people, they should hand over the powers to a government that will and put Scotland’s energy in Scotland’s hands.

“And with the fresh start of independence we can ensure our vast energy wealth works for us, bringing down bills and supporting households with the cost of living.”

The debate over fuel duty now sits at the centre of a wider political and economic challenge, as pressure builds on the UK Government to respond quickly to rising costs and growing public concern.

For many households and businesses, the issue is no longer abstract, with day to day expenses continuing to climb and confidence in long term stability increasingly uncertain.