The SNP have called on the UK government to implement an emergency package of support for small businesses to help them with rising energy bills and living costs.
Stephen Flynn MP, the party’s energy and industrial strategy spokesperson, said that the Tories have so far failed to act on the cost of living crisis and have “completely abandoned small businesses”.
He called for an emergency package “on par with the pandemic response” including an energy price cap for businesses and small business energy grants to lower prices and make it affordable for businesses to keep trading.
He said: "The Tories have completely abandoned small businesses - leaving them to fend for themselves in the face of soaring energy bills, with no meaningful support from the UK government at all.
"By failing to act, as the cost of living crisis spirals out of control, the Tories are driving local traders out of business. While the Prime Minister has been relaxing on a sun lounger all summer, small businesses have been in a state of panic as they struggle to survive.
"UK government ministers must come out of hiding and do the job they are paid to do. That means recalling parliament, introducing an emergency budget, and delivering a meaningful package of support for small businesses on a par with the pandemic response - including a business energy price cap and small business energy grants.”
It comes after a takeaway in Aberdeen was forced to close its doors after the owners were told their quarterly energy bills would rise to £10,000.
There are fears that 100,000s of businesses may be forced to close or downsize after energy bills increase once again this winter.
Flynn added that the only long-term solution to protecting Scotland from such extreme price rises was independence.
He added: "The SNP government will continue to do everything in its power to support businesses - but as the UK government has refused to devolve the powers and levers needed to help Scottish businesses through this crisis, it is essential that they act.
"With every day Westminster fails to act on the cost of living crisis, they are making the case for independence even stronger. The only way to keep Scotland safe and escape the damage of Westminster control is to become an independent country."
