SNP Candidate for Glasgow East, Cllr John Mason and First Minister and SNP Leader Alex Salmond  today visited the Tesco store  in Glasgow East highlighting rising household costs during the credit crunch.  Nearly half of all drivers will face a rise in Vehicle Excise Duty, with 12 000 people alone in Glasgow East.  With reports of food costs rising by 7% in the past 12 months, budgeting for household bills is becoming increasingly difficult for many.

Cllr John Mason said: "Rising costs of food, fuel and now vehicle duty all serve to make life even harder for innocent bystanders in Glasgow East. Labour can talk the talk, but are taking no action to help ease the strain on struggling families.
 

"Petrol prices have risen by over 20% in the past 12 months, and now increases in Vehicle Excise Duty will cause undue stress for most families. Labour had the chance in the House of Commons on 2nd July to reduce fuel costs at the pumps, leading to a reduction in people's travel costs, and in the cost of all the goods in the shops transported by road, yet they voted against easing the burden on hard working families.

"In contrast the SNP Government has introduced a range of measures to help with everyday living costs, including reducing prescription charges and freezing the council tax.  If Margaret Curran is so keen to help to the people of Glasgow East, can she tell us how she would have voted on a fuel duty regulator?"

First Minister and SNP Leader Alex Salmond commented: "People in Glasgow and across Scotland are suffering from rising energy costs, rising household bills, and a range of other financial pressures. Yet Labour are doing nothing to help – instead they're fuelling the fire. Enough is enough, and people in Glasgow East can call a halt in this by-election.

"The Prime Minister is raking in an offshore oil windfall of some £6 billion – £48 per household per week - yet refuses to take the measures needed to bring relief to hard pressed families and business.  And he refuses to give Scotland a fair share of our own oil wealth, which would give the Scottish people direct and long term benefits.

"Compared to the UK Labour government, the Scottish Government have taken decisive action to help people and the economy.  Among the 140 measures the SNP have taken in government over the past year, we have frozen the Council Tax, begun the phased abolition of prescription charges, slashed business rates, installed a record number of free central heating installations, and restored free education.

"These positive and progressive policies show that the SNP Government are on the side of the people."