In a new letter pleading for assistance with the cost of living crisis, Nicola Sturgeon has requested an immediate meeting with Boris Johnson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stated that there was a “need for immediate action to assist households facing an escalating cost of living crisis.” Taxation, health care, and the economy are all devolved to Holyrood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ms Sturgeon, however, acknowledged that the problem was too large for Scotland to solve on its own and urged Mr Johnson to convene a meeting of the Four Nations’ Heads of Government Council as soon as this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As she asked the Prime Minister to intervene, the Scottish First Minister stated that the Scottish Government “cannot respond on the scale required without action by your Government.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“While we will continue to take all actions available to us within devolved responsibilities and budgets – the Scottish Government is investing nearly \u00a33 billion this year in a range of measures to help address the cost of living pressures,” she wrote, “it is a statement of fact that many of the levers that would make the most difference lie with the UK Government.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sturgeon mentioned that it is also true that only the UK Government has access to and can make available the necessary resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Therefore, actions by devolved governments alone – though important – will not be enough to meet the unprecedented challenges we face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her letter was sent today, following the Bank of England’s announcement last week that inflation could rise above 13% in October, while another projection found that the annual energy price cap could rise to \u00a33,358 in October, and could reach \u00a33,615 in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The SNP leader has joined calls from Labour and the Liberal Democrats for Mr Johnson to act quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Downing Street has ruled out any major new economic packages being announced this month, stating that it is up to his successor to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“By convention, it is not for this Prime Minister to make major fiscal interventions during this period,” said the Prime Minister’s official spokesman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’ll be for the next Prime Minister.”<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In a new letter pleading for assistance with the cost of living crisis, Nicola Sturgeon has requested an immediate meeting with Boris Johnson. She stated that there was a “need … <\/p>\n