The Independent, on UK Politics, 27 October 2026

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SNP call for action as Burnham ‘asleep at the wheel’ as fuel prices rise

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Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been accused of being “asleep at the wheel” while motorists are having to pay increasing amounts to fill up with either petrol or diesel. The SNP has challenged the UK Government to scrap the VAT on fuel in Wednesday’s Budget – claiming such a move could save drivers more than £200 a year if it remained in place throughout the current fuel price crisis.

Demanding action, SNP Westminster energy spokesman Graham Leadbitter insisted: “The time for excuses is over. Andy Burnham must act now.” He spoke out as his party highlighted research from the House of Commons Library which showed that average petrol prices have risen from £1.50 per litre when Mr Burnham became Prime Minister in July to £1.75 per litre on October 19. Meanwhile the average cost of a litre of diesel has gone from £1.65 to £1.99 over the same period.

Mr Leadbitter claimed: “Andy Burnham has been asleep at the wheel as fuel prices soar in the UK. “The Prime Minister promised he would cut the cost of living but every major household bill has risen on his watch and many families are now thousands of pounds worse off. “He said he would be different but Andy Burnham is breaking his promises just like Keir Starmer. “The cost of living is getting even worse and the Labour Government is failing to act.” open image in gallery The plea from the SNP came ahead of Chancellor John Healey announcing his Budget on Wednesday. (Betty Laura Zapata/PA) The SNP MP added: “Removing VAT on fuel alone would put over £200 back into people’s pockets at a time when the cost of living is reaching crisis point in the UK.”

He went on to claim: “Scotland is an energy-rich country but we are being forced to pay some of the highest prices in Europe under Westminster control. “It shows why Scotland needs independence to lower bills and build a better future.” The UK Government has been contacted for comment.

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About this analysis

The Independent runs a wire report of an SNP attack on Andy Burnham over fuel prices and attributes every charge, figure and claim to the SNP and its spokesman. It says it contacted the UK Government for comment. No finding against it stands.

What it gets right

  • “research from the House of Commons Library which showed that average petrol prices have risen from £1.50 per litre when Mr Burnham became Prime Minister in July to £1.75 per litre on October 19”

    The article gives the source, the base, the period and the end date of the price figure, so a reader can judge it.

  • “Mr Leadbitter claimed”

    The article keeps the 'asleep at the wheel' charge in the SNP spokesman's mouth and does not adopt it in its own voice.

  • “has been accused of being “asleep at the wheel””

    The opening sentence reports the charge as an accusation, not as the outlet's own verdict on the prime minister.

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