Cost of living crisis 'quickly becoming an emergency' in UK, warns SNP leader

6 March 2022, 00:01

The cost of living crisis is quickly becoming an emergency Ian Blackford has warned
The cost of living crisis is quickly becoming an emergency Ian Blackford has warned. Picture: Alamy

By Megan Hinton

The cost of living crisis is quickly becoming an emergency, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has warned in a letter to the PM.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

He has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling for more action to tackle rising bills.

The letter, also penned by SNP MP Alison Thewliss, calls for Universal Credit to be raised and the Scottish Child Payment benefit to be matched UK-wide.

It also demands that the £200 energy bill loan becomes a grant and wages increase to a Real Living Wage.

Mr Blackford said: "The Tory cost of living crisis is spiralling out of control and quickly becoming a full blown emergency - making it absolutely essential that the Chancellor delivers urgent and comprehensive support for families at the spring statement.

"The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine has compounded this crisis, with soaring oil and gas prices adding to the intense pressures that families face.

Read more: Putin says Western sanctions are 'equivalent to declaring war'

Read more: Mariupol 'ceasefire' was cover for Moscow to reset troops for 'renewed offensive'

Ian Blackford grills Boris Johnson on cost of living crisis

"The SNP will continue to demand tough sanctions against Putin's regime, and strong support for the Ukrainian people, but this devastating conflict also reinforces the need for the UK Government to tackle the rising cost of living in the UK, with a major package of support so families aren't left thousands of pounds out of pocket."

Ms Thewliss said: "Rishi Sunak cannot just wash his hands of this crisis and leave families in the lurch.

"The UK Government's failure to get a grip has left millions of families worse off - with many forced to choose between heating and eating."

A UK Government spokesman said: "We recognise the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and we are working closely with the Scottish Government to ensure people in Scotland are supported.

"The UK Government is providing support worth around £20 billion this financial year and next to help.

"This includes putting an average of £1,000 more per year into the pockets of working families via changes to Universal Credit and boosting the minimum wage by more than £1,000 a year for full-time workers.

Cost of living crisis: Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks to LBC

Read more: Police search for man after Ukraine collection box stolen from London café

Read more: Elizabeth Hurley pays tribute to "beloved lionheart" Shane Warne

"We have also announced a further £9 billion to protect against the impact of rising global energy prices and our £500 million household support fund is helping the most vulnerable with essential costs.

"Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has significant welfare powers and can top up existing benefits, pay discretionary payments and create entirely new benefits in areas of devolved responsibility."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Trump and Harris go head to head

US Election night guide: What time do polls close and who is favourite to win?

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had only just turned 12 when he took part in the violent disorder

Britain's youngest rioter: Boy who had just turned 12 sentenced for involvement in violent disorder

The 170-metre red bridge over wetlands in Canada Water, south-east London, opened last week

Security guards to stop cyclists from using bright red ‘wildlife boardwalk’ at £3.3bn London housing development

Rubert Gispin was visiting flood-hit parts of his native Valencia

Spanish influencer defends ‘shameful’ decision to deliberately cover himself in mud in Valencia’s flood damaged streets

Sara Sharif's father denies murdering the 10-year-old.

Father claims he begged to save Sara Sharif before being told ‘Leave it, she’s dead’

Queen Camilla is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week

The Queen withdraws from engagements this week after being taken ill, Buckingham Palace announces

Tesco customers are furious after being forced to wait hours to book a Christmas delivery slot.

'It's like getting Beyonce tickets': Fury as Tesco shoppers face 'ridiculous' online queues for Christmas delivery slots

Ladbaby has broken its silence on historic allegations of gripping.

Charity chart-topper Ladbaby breaks his silence on 'groping' allegations

Labour MP Chris Webb 'attacked and mugged' near London flat by phone snatching gang

Labour MP Chris Webb 'attacked and mugged' near London flat by phone snatching gang

The White House has been barricaded and restaurants and stores boarded up as tensions rise over the election.

Washington DC braces for unrest as White House is barricaded and stores boarded up ahead of US election

Sir Chris Hoy said 'if you're over the age of 45, go and ask your doctor' for screening

Sir Chris Hoy calls for men to be offered prostate cancer screening from the age of 45 after his terminal diagnosis

Kamala Harris went door-knocking in Pennsylvania on the night before the election

Kamala Harris surprises residents in Pennsylvania as she goes door-knocking in final bid to win votes

Nearly 600 police officers sacked in a year amid as shocking figures reveal extent of misconduct crackdown

Nearly 600 police officers sacked in a year as shocking figures reveal extent of misconduct crackdown

Hundreds of people died in the devastating flooding in Spain

British man who survived Valencia floods describes hearing his neighbours’ horrifying final screams before they died

Amy Dowden said she was ‘heartbroken' as she left this year's Strictly Come Dancing

Amy Dowden says her ‘heart is breaking’ after she confirmed she will not return to Strictly

Anthony Scaramucci said the row between Trump and Labour would blow over

'Anglophile' Trump's row with Starmer will have 'no impact' on wider relations with UK, Anthony Scaramucci says