Jackie Baillie has called on both the UK Government and the Scottish Government to pull out all the stops to prevent more people being pushed into poverty and hardship.

The warning comes after Ofgem announced an 80 percent rise in the price cap which will see average domestic bills hitting more than £3500 per year from October. There is no cap for businesses and many have received estimates of eye-watering increases.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP has already been inundated with enquiries from constituents and local businesses in the area seriously concerned about how they will be able to afford their bills as the weather turns cooler.

Jackie Baillie said: “This is a national emergency and both of our governments have a moral duty to act. They need to pull out all the stops to prevent hard-working people being plunged into severe poverty.

“People here in West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond are really worried about how they will pay their bills while energy giants are posting record profits of billions of pounds. That’s why we need a windfall tax to put money in the pockets of consumers, those who are watching on in fear as their charges are increasing well beyond their household budgets.

“Across the UK we need an energy price freeze now to help millions of households and here in Scotland we need an emergency cost of living act to freeze rents, cut the cost of commuting and support businesses.”