COST OF LIVING CRISIS: UK Parliament should be recalled urgently, says Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Ian Blackford in letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson
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The UK Parliament should be recalled urgently to enable MPs to take immediate action to tackle rising energy prices.
That is the call from Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Ian Blackford who has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of tomorrow's announcement by the energy regulator on the energy price cap.
Experts warn it could rise to as much as £3600 and again in the New Year, possibly passing £6000 by spring, resulting in many UK households being plunged into fuel poverty.
Mr Blackford has also copied his letter to the Speaker of the House.
"The situation is spiralling out of control for millions across the UK," Mr Blackford writes.
"Members across the House are all receiving devastating correspondence from constituents who are faced with impossible choices.
"At a time of great economic uncertainty, there is enormous pressure on our SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) who do not know whether they can survive the winter blast.
"Every day I am receiving more desperate correspondence from people crying out for assistance.
"In the past week I have correspondence from families, NHS workers, a disabled war veteran all wondering how they are going to pay energy bills and make ends meet.
"It's unforgivable that people in Scotland are being forced to pay the price while the UK government sits on its hands and refuses to act.
"Prime Minister, our constituents need to have their voices heard and we need to take urgent action."
Mr Blackford maintains there is consensus across the House for an urgent recall of Parliament and offers to work with the Prime Minister and others on a motion calling for an immediate freeze to the current price cap
"We must come together now to prevent a winter of catastrophe," Mr Blackford writes.
"We must not leave our constituents unable to feed themselves and their families or heat their homes.
"Prime Minister, time is running out. People are desperate. Come out of hibernation and use this opportunity to restore some of your reputation by doing the right thing and freeze the energy price cap.
"We have a duty to return to Parliament and prepare for the unprecedented crisis we face this winter."
