Swinney calls on PM to recall House of Commons to deal with UK energy ‘crisis’

The House of Commons must be recalled immediately to deliver support to people across the UK impacted by the “unprecedented energy crisis” sparked by the war in Iran, Scotland’s First Minister has said.

John Swinney warned Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer that he is “sleepwalking” into the “crisis” facing households and businesses.

He urged the UK Government to take swift action that would deliver support for those worst impacted by rising energy prices.

The SNP leader said: “We are facing an unprecedented energy crisis with motorists being hammered at the petrol pumps and households facing unaffordable energy bills while the UK Government is doing nothing.

“Labour are sleepwalking into a crisis and it will be ordinary people who pay the price.

“Our European neighbours like Ireland and Spain have already taken action to protect their people from the crisis and have stepped up with billions of pounds in support. Yet the Prime Minister stands by like a rabbit in the headlights doing nothing.

“I am calling today for the House of Commons to be recalled from its recess, so that the UK Government can be forced into taking action to support people.

“And if the UK Government are not willing to take action to support people, they should hand over the powers to a government that will.”

Global energy costs have risen sharply following the war in Iran, which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route carrying around a fifth of the world’s oil supply.

Households are shielded in the short term by Ofgem’s price cap, which is set every three months, but the conflict has already pushed up the price of petrol, diesel and heating oil.

Scottish Conservative energy spokesman Douglas Lumsden said the First Minister was adding to the financial pressures facing families.

He said: “John Swinney has some brass neck posing as their champion when he has landed them with the highest tax bills in the UK while his arbitrary net zero targets are piling the costs on households.

“Rising global oil prices underline the need for us to maximise domestic extraction, yet the SNP are as recklessly hostile to new North Sea oil and gas projects as Labour.

“The Scottish Conservatives are the only party with a common-sense plan to ease the cost of living by cutting taxes and reducing fuel bills by supporting all available energy sources – oil and gas, nuclear and renewables.

“That’s why squeezed Scots need to vote for us on their peach ballot to stop an SNP majority.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “The PM has responded decisively to the pressures facing households and set out a clear plan to address the impact of the conflict on families at home.

“This includes cutting the energy price cap by £117, extending the fuel duty cut until September and supporting families facing rising heating oil costs.

“Parliament rising for the Easter recess is a long‑standing convention and does not prevent the Government from acting or continuing to engage with industry, parliamentarians and devolved administrations as we have done throughout this crisis.

“We want to work constructively with the Scottish Government to focus on delivery, and for them to play their part in supporting people across the UK.”

Scottish Labour MP Gregor Poynton said “John Swinney and the SNP will do anything to avoid talking about their shameful record in government.

“The SNP has piled pressure on Scottish families by failing to upgrade homes, hiking income tax, forcing councils to raise taxes, letting a housing emergency push up housing costs, and forcing record numbers of families to pay for private healthcare.

“Scottish Labour will use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to make life more affordable for Scots and deliver a better future for our country.”

Lib Dem Scottish affairs spokesperson Susan Murray said: “The Liberal Democrats agree that the energy crisis caused by Donald Trump’s illegal war must be addressed immediately.

“The UK Government urgently needs to guarantee to families and pensioners that their bills will not go up by as much as £500 in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

“We welcome the SNP’s newfound enthusiasm for addressing crises with parliamentary action.

“The Liberal Democrats have called for the Scottish Parliament to be recalled to address the collapse of Scotland’s ferry services, but despite the havoc this fiasco is wreaking on coastal and island communities, the SNP have declined to come back to Holyrood and sort it out.”