NO NEW measures have been announced to help people cope with soaring household bills despite a crisis meeting between Boris Johnson and energy bosses.
Speaking after the meeting, the outgoing prime minister said he knew it would be a “difficult winter” for people living in the UK and that “we are doing everything we can to support them”.
The news comes amid rising discontent from people regarding the cost of living and rising energy costs.
SNP treasury spokesperson Alison Thewliss said it was "discgraceful" the Government was taking no urgent action on the cost-of-living crisis.
In a statement, Johnson said: “Countries around the world are feeling the impact of Putin’s damaging war in Ukraine.
“We know that this will be a difficult winter for people across the UK, which is why we are doing everything we can to support them and must continue to do so.”
Johnson said the UK Government would “keep urging the electricity sector to continue working on ways we can ease the cost of living pressures”.
Thewliss added: "Families need help right now - they can't afford to wait while this zombie UK government is stuck in a state of paralysis, refusing to do anything until the Tory leadership contest is over.
"UK government ministers are not paid to sit on their hands. Parliament must be recalled and an emergency budget must be brought forward this month, cancelling the energy bill price cap rise and delivering meaningful help for families.
"With every day the UK government fails to act, they are demonstrating why Scotland needs independence, so we can have the powers and resources to take the action required."
Consultancy firm Cornwall Insight warned bills could climb to as much as £4266 for a typical household in January which would amount to £355 a month.
However, energy consultancy firm Auxilione have suggested this figure could increase to as much as £5000 by next April.
Johnson continued: “We are continuing to roll out government support over the coming months, including the second £324 instalment of the cost of living payment for vulnerable households, extra help for pensioners and those with disabilities and the £400 energy bills discount for all households.”
The meeting came as Downing Street faced pressure to come up with solutions to the cost of living crisis before the Tory leadership contest ends.
One of either Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss will be announced as Boris Johnson’s successor on September 5.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused the UK Government of being “missing in action” on the issue and has said that the energy price cap rise should not go ahead.
The Scottish Government’s resilience room is set to meet later on Thursday to discuss further support for households.
On Wednesday, consumer expert Martin Lewis slammed the government’s suggestion that little could be done till a new prime minister was appointed as “complete bull”.
