Chancellor ‘needsto stepup’

The UK Government has come under renewed fire over claims they have failed to tackle the ongoing cost-ofliving crisis.

Nationalist MSP Natalie Don has taken a pop at the Downing Street administration as households now face the bit of increased energy bills.

The Renfrewshire North and West politician said: “The UK Conservative Government is failing to tackle the cost of living crisis compared to other European nations as they take real action to soften the blow of rising prices and energy bills.”

It comes in the wake of a growing consumer backlash in the UK against energy companies and as European nations including France saw utilities companies facing a climbdown.

Across the Channel, French state-owned energy company EDF has been forced to take a €8.4bn hit to profits to ensure energy bills rise by no more than four per cent, while lowincome French households received a one-off payment of €100 to help with rising energy costs.

The country has also introduced a 15 cent-per-litre reduction in fuel.

In Ireland, efforts to reduce pressure on households have also been made, with a €200 energy rebate in place for each household, with those already claiming fuel allowance receiving an extra €125.

SNP MSP Natalie said: “As European countries are stepping up and helping people through the cost of living crisis with real action, the Tory UK government continues to sit on its hands – if EU nations can do this, why can’t Westminster?

“Energy bills and food prices are rocketing and the Chancellor has done nothing to lessen the impact on lowincome families, who will have to make the unthinkable decision between choosing to heat their home or feed their children.”

She added: “Rishi Sunak should be following in the footsteps of our European neighbours – he should introduce a windfall tax on all big corporations - not just oil and gas - change his cruel energy £200 loan into a grant and reverse the callous cuts to Universal Credit.

“It is a tale of two governments for the people of Scotland as the SNP Scottish Government - with its limited powers and resources - has taken action including a £150 grant on council tax bills, more than doubling the Scottish Child Payment and increasing social security benefits by six per cent.

“The Tory Chancellor should be stepping up now to tackle the cost of living crisis.”