Local MP Chris Stephens has demanded urgent action from the UK government to financially support people with spiralling energy costs.

The Glasgow South West MP has called on the UK government to:

• Scrap the energy price cap
• Double the energy grant to £800 and ensure all payments are made by the beginning of October
• Introduce an energy price cap for Small and Medium Enterprises
• Bring in a further windfall tax and extend it to include all large businesses that made significant profits during the pandemic

A recent study found that 72.8% of those living in Scotland will fall into fuel poverty by January 2023 without further action from the UK government.

The SNP Scottish Government is using its limited powers to extend eligibility for and increase the Scottish Child Payment, carry out an emergency budget review to identify any further opportunities to redirect additional resources to those most in need, and is looking at what options are available to the devolved government for regulatory action to limit increases in costs for households and businesses.

Commenting, Chris Stephens MP said:

“For as long as the UK government fails to act, Scotland’s need for independence grows. Only with the full powers of independence can we properly support households and businesses in Scotland, and escape Westminster control for good.”