Families struggling with rising energy bills, petrol prices and mortgage payments must receive urgent help in this month’s UK Budget, SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan has warned.
The Angus and Perthshire Glens MP issued his challenge to Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Wednesday 14 October, following new House of Commons Library analysis commissioned by the SNP showing increases in major household costs since Burnham entered Downing Street in July.
The research has intensified questions over the Prime Minister’s promise to make reducing the cost of living a central priority of his government.
According to the SNP’s interpretation of the figures, household energy bills have risen by £60, petrol prices have increased by 25p per litre and average mortgage rates have reached 6%.
The party also points to forecasts suggesting inflation could reach 3.2% in October, adding further pressure to household budgets.
For families already struggling to cover everyday expenses, the combination of higher fuel costs, mortgage payments and grocery bills can quickly absorb money that might otherwise have been available for savings or emergencies.
The SNP argues that some households could be hundreds or thousands of pounds worse off compared with July, although individual circumstances will determine the actual impact.
Its analysis also compares current costs with those when Labour entered government in 2024, claiming household energy bills have increased by £309 over that period.
The party says energy costs are now approximately £600 higher than Labour promised during the general election campaign.
It has also highlighted the increase in annual university tuition fees in England to £9,790, adding to costs faced by some families supporting students.
Doogan said:
“Andy Burnham is failing on the cost of living and has broken his promises.
“We were told reducing bills would be his main priority but every major household bill has risen since he became Prime Minister, leaving many families thousands of pounds worse off.
“Since Andy Burnham entered Downing Street in July, energy bills have gone up, petrol prices have gone up, mortgage rates have gone up, food prices have gone up, tuition fees have gone up and inflation has gone up.
“The only thing that has gone down are people’s living standards.
“The UK is facing a growing cost of living emergency this winter.
“The Prime Minister promised he would deliver ‘breathing space’ but families are suffocating from financial pressure as household bills soar to new heights. Without urgent action many will be at breaking point.
“The Labour government must follow in the footsteps of the Irish government and use the Budget to cut the cost of energy, cut the cost of petrol, and deliver meaningful financial support for households.
“Scotland is an energy-rich country with huge wealth and resources but under Westminster control families are being forced to pay some of the highest bills in Europe.
“It shows why Scotland needs independence so we can lower bills and build a better future.”
The SNP wants ministers to consider measures similar to those announced in Ireland, including reductions in fuel duty and taxes affecting household heating costs.
The UK Government has already removed VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, a measure it estimates will save a typical household around £45 annually compared with what it would otherwise have paid.
However, wider pressures from international energy markets, inflation and borrowing costs continue to affect household finances.
With Chancellor John Healey preparing to deliver the Budget on 28 October, the question is how much additional support ministers can provide while managing competing demands on the public finances.
For households approaching another expensive winter, the decisions made at Westminster will have consequences far beyond the political argument over who is responsible for rising bills.
