The SNP has warned “families are paying the price for the Labour Party’s failure and broken promises” – with dozens of household bills rising across the UK from today, despite Keir Starmer’s election promises that they would fall.
During the election, Keir Starmer promised the Labour Party would cut energy bills by £300, reduce the cost of living and deliver economic growth – but, instead, energy bills have risen by almost £300, the cost of food and living is soaring, and the UK economy is tanking – with economic growth forecasts cut in half.
SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn MP said “voters are being taken for an April fool by Keir Starmer, who has broken his promise to cut bills and is taking money away from families by imposing damaging austerity cuts and a national insurance tax hike”.
It comes as dozens of household bills begin to rise from today, including:
– Energy bills are up for the third time since the Labour Party came to office, with the energy price cap increasing by a further £111, making a total increase £281 for a typical household since the election.
– Phone and broadband charges are increasing with contracts expected to send bills up by an average of £21.99 annually for those on inflation-linked contracts and £42 for those on newer “pounds and pence” plans.
– The TV license is increasing by £5 to £174.50
– the flat rate car tax is also increasing by £5 to £195
YouGov polling published on Monday revealed that, of those with an opinion, nine in ten Scots (90%) and 87% of people across Britain think the Labour government is doing ‘badly’ at managing the cost of living.
Around two thirds of people (64%) across Britain think the UK will most likely face a depression or recession in 12 months time, compared to just 4% who think the economy will be growing or booming.
Meanwhile, the Resolution Foundation has forecast that the poorest families will be £500 worse off, as a result of the Labour government’s austerity cuts and the rising cost of living.
Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn MP said:
“Voters are being taken for an April fool by Keir Starmer, who has broken his promise to cut bills and is taking money away from families by imposing damaging austerity cuts and a national insurance tax hike.
“During the election, the Labour Party promised voters it would cut energy bills by £300, reduce the cost of living and fix Brexit Britain’s broken economy – but instead energy bills have risen by almost £300, the cost of living is soaring, and the UK economy is tanking – with growth forecasts slashed in half.
“With dozens of household bills rising this week, it’s clear families are paying the price for the Labour Party’s failure and broken promises.
“Instead of imposing more austerity cuts on families, and a jobs-and-growth-destroying national insurance tax hike on small businesses, the Prime Minister should be putting money back into people’s pockets like he promised.
“These price rises and austerity cuts are a warning sign to voters ahead of the Scottish election.
“They show the Labour Party can’t be trusted and they underline the value of a strong and compassionate SNP government protecting families from Labour Party cuts.”
