The Tory government at Westminster must do more to tackle the cost of living crisis, Rutherglen's MSP has claimed.
Clare Haughey has also criticised the Conservatives for going "missing in action" during the current problems, with rising energy and food bills plunging locals into poverty.
Ms Haughey added that many people in her constituency cannot wait until September, when a new Prime Minister will be announced, for help.
Recent forecasts show energy bills are expected to rise in October and then again at the start of 2023.
The Bank of England also warned this month about the longest recession since the financial crisis and inflation soaring to over 13 per cent.
However the Conservatives are currently going through a leadership election to replace Boris Johnson, with former Chancellor Rishi Sunak and the Foreign secretary Liz Truss vying for the role, and arguing over how best to combat the crisis.
The winner will not be announced until September 5.
Ms Haughey told Lanarkshire Live : "Many people across the UK simply cannot afford to wait until September for help – the cost of living crisis is impacting people right now, and it is only going to get worse.
"Every day that the Tory government fails to act increases the number of people dealing with this misery that too many are already experiencing.
"The Scottish Government is doing what it can with the limited powers it holds, including uprating benefits, cutting £150 off most people’s council tax bills, and increasing Scottish Child Payment.
"But the powers and resources needed to tackle this emergency on the scale required – access to borrowing, VAT on fuel, taxation of windfall profits, regulation of the energy market – lie with Westminster.
"The Tories are missing in action whilst many people in Rutherglen and Cambuslang, and indeed across the UK, are struggling."
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