The SNP has challenged the UK government to get a grip of the Tory cost of living crisis hammering households and leaving families worse off, after new statistics showed that UK inflation hit its highest level in almost a decade.
The data showed that the cost of living in the UK rose by a staggering 4.2% in October due to soaring energy bills, with the cost of goods also witnessing a steep rise.
The SNP’s Alison Thewliss (pictured) warned that the perfect storm of Tory cuts, tax rises and soaring cost of Brexit was delivering a hammer blow to households, and that the statistics must serve as a wake-up call for the UK government to act and deliver meaningful financial support to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Commenting, the SNP’s Shadow Chancellor Alison Thewliss MP said:
“These latest figures showing that the cost of living has soared to its highest level in nearly a decade must serve as a wake-up call for the Tory government.
“Households, families and businesses are paying a heavy price for the Tory-made cost of living crisis through cuts, regressive tax hikes and soaring cost of Brexit.
“The Chancellor must heed the warnings and the worrying rise in inflation and urgently bring forward meaningful financial support to tackle the Tory cost of living crisis, reverse rising poverty, and mitigate Brexit.
“The grim reality is that the UK already has the worst levels of poverty and inequality in north west Europe, and the least generous pensions and unemployment benefits – but instead of addressing these problems the Tory government has chosen to make them even worse through Universal Credit cuts and National Insurance hikes.
“It’s clear that Scotland is vulnerable under Westminster control.
“The only way to properly protect our interests, protect households and escape the damage of Brexit is to become an independent country.”
