THE Chancellor must go “much further” to support the “squeezed middle” through the latest cost-of-living crisis, according to the SNP today.

Rachel Reeves is expected this week to announce a package of measures targeted at the poorest households, who could be hammered in July when the energy price cap is predicted to soar from £1,641 to £1,973.

SNP economy spokeswoman Kirsty Blackman MP has now called on the Chancellor to scrap VAT on domestic fuel altogether, a power regained after leaving the EU, and introduce a new price cap, rather than press ahead with plans to freeze fuel duty.

“I will be firmly on the side of the squeezed middle,” said Ms Blackman.

“Of course it’s vital that those on the lowest incomes are prioritised and properly supported but the Labour government seems to have completely forgotten about those in the middle who are also under pressure pay day to pay day.

“The Chancellor must go much further to help families in her announcement this week.”

She added: “The Labour Party promised voters it would cut energy bills by £300 but they will soon be around £700 higher than promised.

“It’s not good enough for the Chancellor to leave millions of families in the lurch.”

A UK government spokesperson said: “We have the right economic plan to deal with prices rises caused by the war in the Middle East.

“It’s not our war, we’re not joining it, but we’re not immune to its effects, which is why we’re supporting families with the cost of living in a responsible way.

“That includes taking £117 off household energy bills and increasing the national living wage to give a £900 boost to millions of workers.”