THE SNP has called for a capital funding boast and action to curb rising fuel bills, as Labour prepares its first Budget in 15 years.

SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison, who froze all capital projects in Scotland’s NHS this year, called for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to release more cash to build amid a “deeply challenging financial situation.”

In response, a Treasury spokesperson stated “the Scottish government receives over 20 per cent more funding per person than equivalent UK government spending in other parts of the UK.” 

But Barnet consequentials resulting from £1.57 billion in new capital spend announced for NHS England ahead of the Budget may give Ms Robison grounds for optimism.

No such hints have been forthcoming from her colleague and SNP Westminster work and pensions spokeswoman Kirsty Blackman, as she called for action to curb energy prices.

Ms Blackman said: “Keir Starmer promised voters he would reduce energy bills by £300 but instead bills have gone up again on the Labour Party’s watch — with a typical household now paying £149 more a year.

“Instead of tackling the soaring cost of energy, the Labour government has made it even worse by increasing household energy bills by 10 per cent, taking £600 in winter fuel payments from pensioners, and proposing to increase fuel duty for millions of motorists.

“It’s no wonder the Labour Party’s poll ratings have plummeted so quickly when they have already broken so many promises — and left millions of households worse off.”

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said “We are confident a clean power system is the cheapest to build and operate.

“The effect on bills by 2030 depends on the pathway we take to achieve our policies, which we will set out in due course.”