The Leader of the Scottish National Party Ian Blackford criticised the Conservative Party's policies on the cost of living, calling Boris Johnson "dangerously out of touch" at Prime Minister's' Questions (PMQs).
Mr Blackford said: "Some in the Tory cabinet clearly believe that better weather means that they can happily sit on their hands and do nothing until next winter.
"They obviously don't get or don't care that in many parts of Scotland the weather will barely reach above freezing over the next week."
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London. Picture date: Wednesday March 30, 2022.
House of Commons
Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London. Picture date: Wednesday March 30, 2022.
House of Commons
Boris Johnson replied: "When he talks about the cost of energy in Scotland, how absolutely preposterous that the Scottish Nationalist Party should still be opposed to any use of any of our native hydrocarbons in this country with the result that the Europeans are importing oil and gas from Putin's Russia, Mr Speaker.
"It's totally absurd."
The Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle then intervened and corrected the Prime Minister's blunder.
Sir Lindsay said: "Just for the record it's National Party."
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle
House of Commons
Mr Blackford accused the Government of “partying through the cost of living emergency".
He said: “Last night millions of families will have been desperately trying to figure out how they will possibly afford the £700 energy price hike that will hit them this Friday.
“At the very same time, Tory MPs were gathering across the street for a champagne bash in Park Plaza… We all know that the Tories partied during lockdown and now they’re partying through the cost of living emergency.
“Last week the Chancellor got it badly, badly wrong with the spring statement and ever since the Prime Minister has been busy briefing against him, saying that more needs to be done. For once I agree with the Prime Minister.
“So if the Prime Minister really believes that more needs to be done, can he tell us exactly what he will order his Chancellor to do, to help the millions of families who are facing a £700 price hike this Friday?”
Mr Johnson replied: “I think he’s in error in what he says about events last night, but he is like me, a living testament to the benefits of moderation in all things."
He added: “The living wage is going up again by record amounts and thanks to what the Chancellor has done, we are putting £9.1billion into helping people up and down the country.”
