A cost-of-living “emergency” this winter will force households to “breaking point” without urgent action from the UK Government, the SNP’s Westminster leader has warned.
Dave Doogan MP is calling on Labour ministers to step up and provide support for struggling households facing rising heating bills, increased petrol and diesel prices at the pumps and higher mortgage rates.
The demand for action came as analysis from the House of Commons Library, commissioned by the SNP, revealed that the cost of every major household bill has increased since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister in July – despite his promise to tackle the cost of living.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is ‘failing on the cost of living’ and has ‘broken his promises’, the SNP Westminster leader said. (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
When he entered Downing Street, Mr Burnham vowed to deliver “breathing space” for under pressure households and to lead a “cost-of-living government” that would give people a “sense that help is coming”.
But Mr Doogan said: “Andy Burnham is failing on the cost of living and has broken his promises.
“We were told reducing bills would be his main priority but every major household bill has risen since he became Prime Minister – leaving many families thousands of pounds worse off.”
A rise in the energy price cap, which limits the price power companies can charge for gas and electricity, has seen typical household bills increase from £1,663 in July to £1,723 in October, with further rises expected.
Meanwhile, petrol prices have increased by 25p per litre, from £149.8 pence to £1.74.9 pence over the same period, while average mortgage rates have gone from just over 5.5% to just under 6%.
Inflation in the UK is now forecast to hit 3.2% in October – the highest level in a year.
As a result the price increases, the SNP said a car owner using the average amount of petrol would be hundreds of pounds worse off from rising fuel costs alone, while a family with an average-sized mortgage in Scotland would be thousands of pounds worse off at the average rate now, compared to the average rate in July.
Compared to when Labour came to power in July 2024, the energy price cap is up by £309, with fuel, food and mortgage costs all having risen, while for families with students at university in England, the cost of tuition fees has also increased to £9,790 a year.
In the wake of that, the SNP is calling on Chancellor John Healey to follow the lead of Ireland – where the budget last week extended temporary tax cuts for petrol and diesel, along with cuts in taxes for heating oil and gas and increases in childcare subsidies.
Mr Doogan said: “Since Andy Burnham entered Downing Street in July, energy bills have gone up, petrol prices have gone up, mortgage rates have gone up, food prices have gone up, tuition fees have gone up and inflation has gone up. The only thing that has gone down are people’s living standards.
“The UK is facing a growing, cost-of-living emergency this winter.
“The Prime Minister promised he would deliver breathing space but families are suffocating from financial pressure as household bills soar to new heights. Without urgent action many will be at breaking point.
“The Labour Government must follow in the footsteps of the Irish government and use the Budget to cut the cost of energy, cut the cost of petrol, and deliver meaningful financial support for households.”
He also used the rise in prices to push the case for Scottish independence, with the SNP MP saying: “Scotland is an energy-rich country with huge wealth and resources but, under Westminster control, families are being forced to pay some of the highest bills in Europe.
“It shows why Scotland needs independence so we can lower bills and build a better future.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We know families are feeling the impact of higher prices, driven in part by conflicts overseas, and recognise the pressure higher mortgage costs can put on homeowners.
“Support is available for borrowers struggling with repayments, while we’re giving households more breathing space by removing VAT from electricity bills and extending the 5p fuel duty cut.”