UK inflation rose to 2.9 per cent in July, prompting an SNP warning that households could face renewed pressure from fuel, energy and food prices this autumn.
SNP Economy spokesperson Kirsty Blackman MP said the increase should serve as an early warning to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with families already facing considerable pressure on household budgets.
Blackman argued that the UK Government must take action before autumn and winter bring further increases in essential costs.
She said:
“This spike in inflation will cause real worry that Brexit Britain is headed for another autumn of soaring fuel, energy and food prices.
“The new Prime Minister has talked about giving people ‘breathing space’ but if he doesn’t act now family finances in Scotland and across the UK will be at breaking point.
“Andy Burnham will soon learn that better communications won’t bring down the cost of living.
“People in Scotland don’t want to hear any more empty promises about ‘hope in their hearts’, they want money in their pockets.
“The UK Labour Government has endlessly boasted about confronting the big issues, but they have completely ignored the biggest issue on the horizon for families this autumn.
“The Bank of England warned earlier this month that prices are set to rise again, energy bills will hit even harder and the public finances of Brexit Britain are broken.
“Andy Burnham should listen to those economic sirens that are ringing louder by the day and act to protect families ahead of this autumn and winter.”
The political argument will inevitably intensify if inflation continues to climb, particularly as households move towards the colder months when energy use becomes a greater part of family spending.
For households across the Highlands and Islands, the cost of essentials can be particularly significant, with transport, fuel and heating often difficult expenses to avoid.
A rise in inflation does not mean every price suddenly increases by 2.9 per cent, but it does mean prices overall are continuing to rise rather than fall.
That distinction matters after several years in which household budgets have already absorbed substantial increases in the cost of everyday necessities.
The SNP is now attempting to put those pressures firmly on the Prime Minister’s desk, arguing that the coming months will provide an early test of how his government intends to tackle the cost of living.
For families watching what remains in the bank account after the bills are paid, however, the political argument will ultimately matter considerably less than whether those everyday costs begin to come under control.
