'Cost of living rescue plan' set out by Liberal Democrats in the Highlands who say more action is needed to help households with soaring bills
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A 'cost of living rescue plan' to help households with the impact of skyrocketing bills has been set out by Liberal Democrats in the Highlands.
Scottish Liberal Democrats maintain both Holyrood and Westminster are failing Scottish households.
The party previously called for a one-off Robin Hood Tax on the super-profits of oil and gas producers and traders which would allow vulnerable and low-income households to get £300 off heating bills by doubling the Warm Home Discount and expanding it to all those on Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
It has now called on the Scottish Government to take action.
It is urging the reversal of what it argues amounts to a £250 million cut to councils putting pressure on local authorities to raise council taxes.
It has also called for a 3.8 per cent rise in rail fares to be cancelled and for the railcard discount scheme to be expanded instead to bring down costs and encourage more people to leave the car at home.
The party also wants to see a boost in disability benefits plus more investment in insulation which would help to protect household budgets from soaring energy prices and bring down emissions.
In addition the party wants to see extra help available for households to make the changes the Scottish Government is demanding regarding fire alarms.
Liberal Democrats have also called for the scrapping of the national insurance tax hike and the freezing of the income tax thresholds and have called for cheaper broadband to be made available.
Parliamentary candidate for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, Craig Harrow said: "The Conservatives are clobbering people with an unfair tax hike while the SNP/Green Government squeeze household budgets from every angle.
"They are leaving households in the cold.
"Scottish Liberal Democrats are in your corner and will continue to fight to give everyone in the Highlands new hope and real, concrete help to all households."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said bills were going through the roof, with families having to choose between eating and heating.
"Both Holyrood and Westminster are failing Scottish households," he said.
"Neither the Conservatives nor the SNP are doing enough to protect people from the worst of this crisis.
"The government must go much faster and further. Scottish Liberal Democrat’s plans will support households and give a fair deal to everyone."
Council says extra funding does not rule out council tax rise
