Energy price hikes becoming a stark reality for many
At the start of the year, my column was about the cost of living and the huge challenges this year was expected to bring.
Now that the rise to the energy price cap has been introduced and bills are landing in peoples inboxes and on doormats, the reality of its impacts are becoming clear.
Many homes are seeing their monthly bills double.
Energy costs are expected to rise by 54 per cent and bills could hit £2000 a year.
For those who have fixed and limited incomes, where to find the extra money is a question they cannot answer.
We have known for months the hike to the energy price cap was coming, but despite the pressures on households, our governments have failed to act to relieve it and to ensure people are not left to struggle.
The cost of heating an average home has doubled in the last 18 months and across the UK millions of people are being priced out of being able to adequately heat and power their homes.
Both the Scottish and UK government need to bear responsibility for what has happened.
That energy companies continue to seek to maximise their profits above all is regrettable but predictable, yet our governments have passed up opportunities to act.
The steps that have been taken are minimal and their effectiveness questionable as they fail to prioritise the most vulnerable.
In his Spring statement the chancellor could have taken steps to ease the cost of living crisis and end the choice between heating and eating.
A VAT cut on home energy bills would have provided immediate benefits to all households.
Expanding and increasing the Warm Homes Discount would have helped large numbers of working families and older people.
By choosing not to introduce a windfall tax on big energy companies, households are left to bear the brunt.
The Scottish Government is keen to highlight higher transmission charges for Scottish homes, particularly those off-grid, and will point to the UK government failure to reform the charging system, but it has also failed to use the powers it has to put more income into Scots pockets and ensure support is targeted to those most in need.
Instead it echoes UK government plans, providing a rebate for some households who don’t need it resulting in less support available for those most at risk.
Even before the change to the price cap, far too many people were struggling, with one in three Scots finding energy bills unaffordable.
Our governments cannot continue to leave households to cope with these Nothing spiralling costs.
I would urge anyone who is having difficulty paying bills to contact both their provider and external advice services, who can help ensure you are accessing any additional support you may be entitled to.