JOHN Swinney has responded after Andy Burnham's so-called "listening tour" of the UK completely avoided Scotland.
The National revealed on Tuesday that the Prime Minister had failed to visit Scotland despite pledging to embark on a tour of the nations and regions in Britain.
So far, this has included Ilkeston in Derbyshire, Sheffield in South Yorkshire, Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, with a visit to Port Talbot in Wales also expected.
But despite reports that he may visit Aberdeen, Burnham did not include Scotland as part of his tour – with the Prime Minister also neglecting Northern Ireland.
Speaking to the media during a visit in Fife on Wednesday, John Swinney said the Prime Minister would face questions about the Labour Government’s plans to cut energy bills.
It comes as regulator Ofgem announced on Wednesday morning that its energy price cap will increase by 4%, with the typical household paying £60 more a year from October.
The SNP have since accused Burnham of breaking his promise to bring down the cost of living.
“I’m surprised the Prime Minister’s decided not to come to Scotland as part of his listening tour,” the First Minister said on Wednesday.
“But I think if he did come to Scotland, people would be wanting to say to him that that they’re deeply concerned about the fact that his Government has failed to live up to the Labour election promise to cut fuel bills by £300 because, as a consequence of the price cap announcements today, bills are now £250 higher than when Labour came to office.
“Labour have totally failed to cut energy bills as they promised.
“And in an energy-rich country like Scotland, what that says to me is that Scotland’s energy has got to be in Scotland’s hands, so that we can reduce fuel bills and use the energy wealth of Scotland to support consumers in our country.”
When contacted by The National earlier this month, Downing Street refused to confirm whether Scotland was included in the itinerary.
And when approached on Tuesday, No10 did not deny that Burnham has now concluded his tour.
Burnham has visited Scotland once since becoming Prime Minister, before his so-called "listening tour" took place.
He attended the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 23, using the prime ministerial jet to travel from London.
During the trip, he also met with First Minister John Swinney, during which he ruled out a second Scottish independence referendum.
Burnham told Swinney that another referendum is "off limits" because it would take the UK Government's focus "away from growing the economy and helping families with the cost of living".
A UK Government source told the Press Association: “The PM visited Scotland in his first week in office and looks forward to visiting again soon.
“He will always be on the side of families struggling with the cost of living, which is why one of his first acts in office was to cut VAT from electricity bills this winter."
