SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan has called on the UK Government to increase their support for island communities with the cost of living. His calls come in the run up to a debate in Holyrood where the Scottish Government are setting out the action they have taken with their limited powers. 

Before the General Election, UK Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised to fix the chaos caused by Brexit and bring living costs down. However, since then, households have seen inflation increase and energy bills rise by £300, the two-child benefit cap upheld and many pensioners pushed into fuel poverty by scrapping universal winter fuel.

This has left Alasdair Allan and his SNP colleagues calling for the UK Labour Government to reverse these decisions and follow the examples set by the SNP Scottish Government. 

In the run up to the debate, Allan commented: 

“Families in Scotland are paying the price for Labour’s failure to deal with the cost-of-living crisis. We’re already seeing it across Scotland with the cost of food staples such as tea, milk, bread and cheese rising.

“Despite Labour’s promises to lower energy prices, Ofgem’s decision to rase the price cap demonstrates Labour don’t have the solutions they promised during the General Election. Given the high levels of fuel poverty here in the Western Isles, Labour must acknowledge they either don’t understand the needs of islanders or admit they are not a priority.

“Here in Scotland, the SNP Scottish Government have used our limited powers to reinstate winter fuel payments, end the abhorrent two-child benefit cap, invested in our renewable future and offered support to improve the energy efficiency of our homes. Therefore, I would strongly urge UK Labour to follow our example in order to deliver on their election promises. 

“Nevertheless, Scotland should not need to urge and demand the UK Government to assist them. Ultimately, I believe today’s debate will prove we need the full powers of an independent country to take control of our energy rich region and invest in our people.”