THE cost-of-living crisis will “get worse” as a result of US and Israeli action in Iran, Scotland’s First Minister has said as he called for action.
John Swinney has urged Downing Street to step in and alleviate the cost increases hitting consumers on energy bills and at petrol stations.
Speaking in Edinburgh on Tuesday, the SNP leader hit out at the US-Israeli offensive in the Gulf, which has seen oil prices spike, as US president Donald Trump continues to threaten the Iranian regime.
Swinney said: “My message today is very simple: we’ve got to make sure that we protect people in Scotland from the cost-of-living crisis that everyone is experiencing today and which is going to get worse because of this intervention – the unwarranted and illegal intervention by the United States and Israel in Iran.
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“That is just simply going to fuel increases in energy costs for everybody and it’s going to affect people here in Scotland, despite the fact that we are an energy powerhouse here in Scotland today.
“My message today is very simple, and it’s a clear message to the United Kingdom Government – my message is stop dithering.”
Speaking to the Press Association on Tuesday, John Swinney also pushed for de-escalation in the Middle East.
“The entire conflict in Iran should not be taking place,” he said.
“This is an unwarranted and illegal intervention by the United States and Israel and what has been started by President Trump, very clearly, cannot be concluded by Donald Trump.
“The threats that are now being made, of the language and of the nature of what has been suggested in recent days, is unconscionable and it will cause enormous, enormous hardship and suffering for people who are already suffering under the Iranian regime.
“The need for de-escalation, for a solution that avoids any further military activity in Iran is absolutely essential, and the international community, other governments, have got to work to encourage and to enable such an approach to be taken.”
A UK 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.”
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