Did other European countries do more to tackle the cost of living crisis?

Inflation and the increases in the cost of energy disproportionately affect those on the lowest incomes, and further amplify inequality – which is already higher in the UK compared to neighbouring countries.

Scotland has a wealth of natural energy resources, but our population isn’t able to benefit from it because Westminster control is holding us back.

Our European neighbours have been taking took real action to tackle the cost of living crisis, whilst the UK Westminster government has continuously failed to act – thus failing families, businesses and communities.

🇫🇷 While energy prices in the UK rose by 54%, the French government chose to cap them at 4% and instead of passing on the high wholesale energy prices onto consumers, the French energy company EDF was forced to take a hit to protect household incomes.

🇩🇪 The German government gave everyone a one-off €300 payment to help with the cost of living, and a further €100 for each child – as well as another €100 to anybody receiving state benefits. Additionally, Germany cut fuel tax by 30 cents (around 25p) on petrol, compared to just 5p announced by the UK government.

🇪🇸 Spain lowered VAT on energy bills from 21% to 10%, while taxes on electricity were cut from 7% to 0.5%. The Spanish government also levied a windfall tax on energy companies, helping to ease the burden of high costs for consumers.

🇮🇪 Public transport fares were reduced by 20% for a year, to help with rising costs of commuting. To help with fuel costs, Ireland cut fuel duty to 20 cents per litre for petrol, and 15 cents per litre of diesel – significantly further than the UK.

🇳🇱 To help with rising inflation, the Dutch government offered eligible households a one-off energy allowance of €800.

Meanwhile, the UK was the only major economy to put up taxes on working people during the cost of living crisis. 

The Tories increased National Insurance, a regressive tax that disproportionately hits working people on middle and lower incomes – while going ahead with a £4bn tax cut for bankers. 

To unlock the opportunities to build a more prosperous, fairer and greener society – just like many European countries of similar size to Scotland – we need to become an independent country.