Starmer ‘like rabbit in headlights’, says Swinney as SNP demand fuel price cuts

The First Minister has said Sir Keir Starmer is “like a rabbit in the headlights” as the SNP launch a campaign to demand the UK Government cut fuel prices

First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney will launch an SNP campaign on Tuesday to call for the UK Government to reduce fuel prices amid the energy crisis.

Mr Swinney said: “Scotland is an energy superpower but as part of the UK we are facing soaring costs every time we fill up our cars. Whether Labour like it or not, their failures on energy will be the defining issue of this election campaign.

“While other governments across Europe have taken swift and decisive action, Keir Starmer has done nothing – he is like a rabbit in the headlights and it is the people of Scotland who are paying the price.”

In a speech in Leith, the First Minister will call on Sir Keir to follow SNP suggested actions including immediately scrapping the planned fuel duty increase and removing VAT from fuel duty for the duration of the crisis.

The UK has been facing rising fuel prices due to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Mr Swinney continued: “Every time people in Scotland go to the petrol pumps, they are seeing first-hand the consequences of a deeply incompetent Labour Prime Minister who is asleep at the wheel and refusing to act.

“Labour simply cannot be trusted with Scotland’s energy wealth. Westminster control means we pay some of the highest energy bills in Europe, face soaring petrol prices while jobs in our energy sector are lost.

“With the fresh start of independence, Scotland’s vast energy wealth will work for the people of Scotland and be used to bring down bills – that is what the SNP is offering at this election.

“And our message to the UK Labour Government in the face of the energy crisis is clear – cut fuel prices now.”

A Government spokesperson said: “Families and businesses will be worried about the impact of conflict in the Middle East here at home.

“The Government is determined to fight people’s corner.

“To support drivers at the budget we extended the 5p fuel duty cut from this month to September.”