DOUGLAS Ross has been urged to “come out of hiding” and rally his Westminster colleagues to take action over the cost-of-living crisis.
As energy prices soar and inflation rises to record levels, the SNP have called out the silence of the Scottish Tory leader, insisting he should be pushing his party to provide urgent help to households.
The UK Government holds the vast majority of financial levers which could be used to support families in need, but Ross has not echoed the calls of experts such as Martin Lewis who has implored Westminster to step up its efforts this week.
The challenge from the SNP comes after a request from the party’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford requested to recall Parliament was rejected by Number 10.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also wrote to Boris Johnson seeking an emergency meeting, but he is yet to respond.
SNP MSP Elena Whitham said: "It is an utter disgrace that we're facing a national financial emergency and Douglas Ross has been silent on the matter - he must come out of hiding and urge his Westminster colleagues to act now.
"If Douglas Ross maintains his apparent apathy on this crisis of his own party's making then people across Scotland will justifiably deduce that he simply doesn't care.
"The devastating circumstances facing families cannot be overstated and whilst the SNP in Holyrood is taking action with the powers at its disposal, it is indisputable that Westminster holds the majority of the financial levers that can help right now.
"The case for Scotland being an independent country, with the full financial powers that would allow the Scottish Government to properly protect households, could not be stronger."
Energy consultancy Auxilione has suggested bills could soar to more than £5000 next April.
Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng are set to meet energy bosses on Thursday and will tell them the Government expects them to invest record profits in green energy and gas production to help deliver lower bills.
Meanwhile, former prime minister Gordon Brown has urged ministers and leadership candidates to go further and temporarily re-nationalise companies which cannot offer lower bills.
