THE SNP's shadow chancellor has insisted Rishi Sunak must use tomorrow's Spring Statement to give further support to those struggling with energy bills.
Alison Thewliss has called on the chancellor to "right the wrongs" of his government after a study by 38 Degrees and Survation focussing on her Glasgow Central consituency showed 80 per cent of people have experienced more expensive energy bills compared to last year.
She has now urged Sunak to provide an emergency packet of support which she insists should include reversing the "cruel" cut to Universal Credit.
Th £20-a-week uplift to the benefit - put in place during the Covid pandemic - was removed last year.
"The cost of living crisis is worsening by the day," said Thewliss.
"Families in the Glasgow Central constituency are being forced into Tory-made poverty with no sign of support to come.
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"The time is now for change. Tomorrow’s Spring statement is a chance for the Chancellor to right the wrongs of this cost of living crisis, by finally providing an emergency package of support.
"This package must include turning the £200 energy loan into a grant, reversing the cruel cut to Universal Credit, delivering a Real Living Wage, and matching the Scottish Government’s game-changing Scottish Child Payment UK-wide.
"If the Chancellor continues to shut his eyes and hope for the best, then more families across the Glasgow Central constituency will be forced into a lifetime of poverty."
Sunak - who is due to report the latest economic and fiscal forecasts to the House of Commons tomorrow - is coming under increasing pressure to provide relief for struggling families as food and fuel prices rocket.
Petrol and diesel costs have reached record highs in recent weeks and the Ukraine war has worsened the issue, pushing up global oil and gas prices.
Reports have suggested Sunak could cut fuel duty by 5p and an increase in the national insurance threshold could also be on the cards.
Thewliss added: "The Spring statement provides the platform for the Chancellor to admit the Government’s failings in this crisis - and correct them immediately."
He will deliver his statement at 12.30pm on Wednesday.
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