The rate of inflation rose again in May to remain at a 40-year high and deepening the squeeze felt by households across Scotland.
Consumer prices index (CPI) inflation - based on the cost of staple groceries in shops - hit 9.1 per cent.
Kate Forbes, the finance secretary, described rising inflation as "extremely worrying" and insisted the Scottish Government was doing all it could to help households.
She warned the poorest households in Scotland were struggling the most they spent a higher percentage of their budget on food and energy.
The rise in inflation is being largely driven by the increase in food prices.
Energy bills rose by 54 per cent. for the average household at the beginning of April and will remain at this level until October.
Forbes said: "It's an extremely worrying outlook with the highest level of inflation since 1982.
"But perhaps what is even more concerning is that the Bank of England are predicting it will continue to rise and reaching double figures in the autumn.
"And we also know the inflation rate is essentially higher for the poorest households because there is a greater component of their weekly bill is spent on food and on fuel which is where we are seeing the highest price increases."
The Bank of England has predicted that inflation will spike at more than 11% in October after the price cap is changed again.
Labour shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Today’s rising inflation is another milestone for people watching wages, growth and living standards continue to plummet.
“Though rapid inflation is pushing family finances to the brink, the low wage spiral faced by many in Britain isn’t new.
“Over the last decade, Tory mismanagement of our economy has meant living standards and real wages have failed to grow.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “I know that people are worried about the rising cost of living, which is why we have taken targeted action to help families, getting £1,200 to the eight million most vulnerable households.
“We are using all the tools at our disposal to bring inflation down and combat rising prices – we can build a stronger economy through independent monetary policy, responsible fiscal policy which doesn’t add to inflationary pressures, and by boosting our long-term productivity and growth.”
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