THE Scottish Tories have been accused of snubbing an all-party effort in Holyrood to demand an energy bill freeze.
Alex Rowley, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, spoke out after Scottish Tory politicians refused to sign a motion put forward to the Scottish Parliament calling for urgent action from the UK Government.
The Labour politician also wrote to Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross urging him to back the price freeze call and “not hide behind [his] Westminster colleagues”.
It comes after Ofgem announced the energy bill price cap is set to rise to £3549 in October, sparking fears that many households will be plunged into poverty if actions aren’t taken.
Rowley’s motion calls for the UK to act and freeze bills “immediately as a matter of national emergency” amid the “worst cost of living crisis in living memory”.
Politicians from SNP, Labour and the LibDems have backed Rowley’s motion.
In his letter to Ross, the Labour MSP wrote: “It is my genuine view that the levels of damage and hardship caused will be unprecedented in recent times if these charges are allowed to rise at the levels being predicted and will result in widespread poverty and civil unrest.
“I am hoping that you will support the call for a freeze now and not hide behind your Westminster colleagues. I urge you to put Scotland and its people first at this time of great hardship for so many.”
Commenting on the silence from the Scottish Tories, Rowley said: “I have called for Scottish politicians to unite in the interest of the people of Scotland to pressure the UK Government into taking bold action to stop the impact of one of the worst cost-of-living crises in living memory, starting with an immediate freeze on energy bills.
“Polling shows two-thirds of the country support the introduction of Covid-style support to help households across the country with the cost-of-living crisis and it should be the priority of all politicians to bring this to fruition.
“It is unacceptable that the inaction of politicians will lead to widespread poverty, and I believe failure to act will result in an enormous blow to the physical, mental and financial health of the people and the potential for civil unrest.”
Rowley said it was “extremely disappointing” Tory MSPs are hiding behind their Westminster colleagues and refusing to “to join with Scottish politicians of all parties in an act of unity for the people of Scotland”.
He added: “I urge them to drop whatever political pretence they are operating under and stand up for the constituents relying on politicians to deliver the support needed.”
Elena Whitham, SNP MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, said: "It's good to see Labour now accepting that the majority of levers to tackle this lie with Westminster - we need the UK Government to step up immediately.
"It would be even more welcome if Scottish Labour would join the SNP in our calls for the UK government to double the energy bills grant, reinstate the Universal Credit uplift and extend it to legacy benefits, bring in a Real Living Wage and match the Scottish Child Payment.
"It is deeply shameful that no Scottish Tory is willing to recognise the huge responsibility their party has to help struggling families right now and, quite frankly, Douglas Ross's choice to go into hiding over this time is beyond condemnation."
A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “The public expect both of Scotland’s governments to work together to support people and businesses through the cost-of-living crisis and we are absolutely committed to doing so.
“Many are facing impossible choices already and providing extra support will be the top priority for whoever becomes the next Prime Minister in a few days.
“The UK Government have already provided £37 billion worth of support in relation to the cost-of-living crisis, including £1200 for the most vulnerable families but much more will need to be done by both governments to mitigate ever-increasing bills in the coming months.”
Read the full letter sent to Ross below.
