A West Fife candidate has called for the SNP to help address the rising cost of living by blocking proposed rises in water charges and providing an immediate Fuel Costs Payment to help those most in need meet the rising cost of energy.
Graeme Downie, Scottish Labour candidate for West Fife and Coastal Villages for the local elections on 5 May, has called for the SNP to review their approval of this year’s 4.2% increase in water charge rises and defer future rises until the current cost of living pressures have reduced.
Without intervention, this year’s rise would be followed by increases of an average of 2% above inflation until 2027, despite Scottish Water sitting on at least £400m in reserves.
Mr. Downie has also backed calls for the SNP to use £238 million of Barnett consequentials to provide an immediate Fuel Costs Payment that would put £400 in the pocket of those most in need to help them with sky-rocketing energy bills.
Commenting, Graeme Downie, Scottish Labour candidate for West Fife and Coastal Villages, said:
“With Tory Tax rises, growing inflation and increased energy prices, governments at Holyrood and Westminster must take action to help people in West Fife and across Scotland.”
“The SNP must immediately reverse their approval of a 4.2% rise in water bills and defer plans for future rises until some of the current cost of living pressures have abated.”
“The SNP should also use Barnett consequentials to provide an immediate Fuel Costs Payment to help those most in need meet rising energy bills.”
“Only the Scottish Labour Party is demanding action to make West Fife better and fairer. It is time for the Tories and the SNP to wake up and take action before we more people are struggling to make ends meet.”