Anas Sarwar has insisted the Scottish Government has a "moral duty" to help people who are struggling to make ends meet.
The Scottish Labour leader today unveiled a range of emergency measures he wants MSPs to support when they return to Holyrood next month after the summer recess.
The party is calling for a freeze on all rents, a ban on evictions during winter months, and ScotRail fares to be slashed.
Sarwar told the Record he hoped the emergency measures would win support from both SNP and Green MSPs.
Asked why the Scottish Government would back Labour motions, he said: "I don't care who gets the credit. What I care about is people being able to make ends meet.
"I don't care whose name is ultimately on any amendment or any bill.
"What I care about is parliament coming together to act in the national interest to actually help people right now.
"I think it is right that we demand action from the UK Government - and we have set out proposals earlier this week to scrap the increase in energy prices.
"But there is also a moral duty on the Scottish Government to act. They're not commentators. They are in a position of power and influence and they have to use that.
"We have set out detailed plans on urgent action that we think needs to be taken right now.
"And if they do it, they will have our support."
Sarwar branded rising prices as a “national emergency on the scale of the pandemic” and “dealing with it requires both of Scotland’s Governments to move quickly and decisively”.
“That is why Scottish Labour is calling for emergency legislation to be put before the Scottish Parliament now, as the starting point for a response to help people without delay,” the MSP said.
“Our plan sets out areas where Holyrood can act urgently to help people now – and it could be passed as an Emergency Cost of Living Act when the Scottish Parliament returns.”
The party’s plan has four areas – housing support, help with transport costs, help with debt and reducing bills for households and business.
Their plans include doubling the Scottish Child Payment bridging payments, writing off school meal arrears and topping up the welfare fund.
Business minister Ivan McKee said the Scottish Government is looking at what steps it can take to help tackle the rising cost of living.
He told the BBC that Holyrood was taking steps to "look at the budget to understand what money is there".
"There are measures we are looking at," he said.
"I’m not going to commit just now to Government policy - we have got to go through the proper process on that - but we are absolutely having a look at all measures that could make an impact to address the current situation," he said.
