HUNT MUST USE BUDGET HEADROOM TO SLASH ENERGY BILLS

The SNP has challenged Jeremy Hunt to use the additional headroom available in the Budget to slash energy bills and boost public sector pay - as new research shows the Chancellor will have an extra £30billion at his disposal.

With the Resolution Foundation reporting UK borrowing will be £30billion lower than expected this year, SNP Economy spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said "there is no excuse for failing to act" and called for the Chancellor to cut energy bills by at least £500, and raise public sector pay and benefits by CPI.

Commenting, SNP Economy spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said:

"The Tories are failing families by refusing to take the urgent action needed to tackle the cost of living crisis, despite having ample resources to do so.

"With an extra £30billion at their disposal, there is no excuse for failing to act. The Chancellor must stop ripping families off - and put money back into people's pockets.

"The SNP is calling for a comprehensive package of support including slashing energy bills by at least £500, continuing the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme payments, raising public sector pay and benefits by inflation, and introducing a Real Living Wage for all workers.

"This UK Budget is all about choices. Instead of hammering household incomes, the Chancellor must choose fair measures, including scrapping non-dom tax status, introducing a levy on share buy backs, and expanding the windfall tax, to raise billions of pounds for vital cost of living support.

"And if the Chancellor is serious about growing the economy, he must rejoin the EU single market and attract green investment, as our EU neighbours are doing.

"With every day the Tories refuse to act they are showing why Scotland needs independence, so we can escape Westminster control, rejoin the EU, and build a fair and prosperous economy."