First Minister John Swinney has called for the House of Commons to be recalled today as pressure builds on the UK Government to respond to a worsening energy crisis affecting households and businesses across the country.

The SNP leader said the current situation demands immediate action, warning that delays from Westminster risk deepening the financial strain already being felt by families and firms.

The call comes as energy prices and fuel costs continue to rise, with concerns growing over affordability and the wider economic impact.

Swinney is expected to set out a series of measures he believes the UK Government should take to provide meaningful support.

John Swinney said:

“We are facing an unprecedented energy crisis with motorists being hammered at the petrol pumps and households facing unaffordable energy bills while the UK Government is doing nothing.

“Labour are sleepwalking into a crisis and it will be ordinary people who pay the price.

“Our European neighbours like Ireland and Spain have already taken action to protect their people from the crisis and have stepped up with billions of pounds in support.

“Yet the Prime Minister stands by like a rabbit in the headlights doing nothing.

“I am calling today for the House of Commons to be recalled from its recess, so that the UK Government can be forced into taking action to support people.

“And if the UK Government are not willing to take action to support people, they should hand over the powers to a government that will.”

The intervention places renewed focus on the UK Government’s response as comparisons are drawn with measures taken elsewhere in Europe.

With pressure rising from devolved leaders, the coming days are likely to test how quickly Westminster moves to address the growing crisis.